The ultra-fresh products section confirms its strategic position at the heart of organic stores. With growth of +11.8% in the year-to-date period through June (CAM M6), the sector has reached an estimated value of €548 million. Now accounting for 12.3% of the total turnover of specialist organic stores (estimated at €4.45 billion), ultra-fresh products are consolidating their role more than ever as a key driver of recovery and customer loyalty in organic retail.
Summary of results by category (products with EAN, excluding assisted service)
| Category | Turnover (excluding VAT) in euros | Change (CAM M6) | Trends & Observations |
| Dairy products | 236 M€ | +12,9 % | Main value driver of the section |
| Plant-based | 96 M€ | +2,8 % | 2nd category in volume/value, but with slower momentum |
| Meat | 78 M€ | +16,1 % | Solid growth driven by demand for quality |
| Prepared foods | 67 M€ | +10,0 % | Growth supported by demand for convenience |
| Eggs | 26 M€ | +34,0 % | Outstanding performance, although momentum is slowing in M6 |
| Milk (all types) | 20,6 M€ | +11,5 % | Positive overall momentum |
| Seafood products | 22 M€ | +9 % |
Detailed analysis by segment
- Dairy products: the beating heart of the section (+12.9%)
With €236 million in sales, dairy products account for nearly half of ultra-fresh product sales. All subcategories show strong performance:
- Cheese (97 M€; +14,9 %): drives the category thanks to a varied range (from grated Emmental to feta and Comté);
- Yoghurts (58 M€; +12,6 %): a reliable everyday staple, maintaining steady momentum thanks to products characteristic of specialist organic stores (sheep’s milk, goat’s milk) and trending products (skyr);
- Butter & Fats (48 M€; +10,5 %): solid staple products within the section;
- Dairy desserts (32 M€; +12,1 %): driven by the search for specific health benefits and functional nutrition (lactose-free, kefir, lassi…) as well as indulgence (rice pudding, chocolate and cream desserts, custards…).
Worth noting: the Milk (all types of milk) segment follows the same positive trend, with +11,5 % (20,6 M€).
- Eggs: record growth (+34%)
This is the most spectacular increase in the section, generating €26 million (excluding VAT). Eggs have benefited from a major shift in purchasing towards affordable, high-quality organic proteins. However, June data indicate a slight slowdown in growth.
- Meat and prepared foods: proteins on the rise
- Meat (78 M€; +16,1 %): a very significant acceleration, highlighting consumers’ willingness to prioritise organic cured meats, meat (minced beef) and processed poultry.
- Prepared foods (67 M€; +10 %): confirm the appetite for ready-to-eat meal solutions.
- The plant-based segment: growing maturity (+2.8%)
With €96 million in sales, plant-based ultra-fresh products remain the second-largest contributor to turnover. However, their more modest growth (+2.8%) reflects a degree of instability in the product range. Worth noting is the strong growth of tofu in mass retail during the first half of 2026, a trend whose development will need to be monitored.
- Seafood, cured and smoked products: a segment advancing steadily
With sales comparable to those of milk, this segment appeals both to traditional consumers (herring) and to those adopting new consumption habits (seaweed). The cured seafood category is returning to levels similar to those recorded in the 2010s.
This article has been produced using information originally published by Bio Linéaires, the leading professional publication for specialist organic retail in France, with which Bio Eco Actual has an editorial collaboration agreement.
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