Sales of environment and animal welfare-friendly foods are up for the sixth year in a row, the AD reports.

The increase is down to a greater variation in certified products, changing consumer preferences and price changes, according to a report by Wageningen Economic Research whose findings will be sent to parliament by agriculture junior minister Martijn van Dam on Tuesday.

Most of the sustainable spending takes place in supermarkets, which have increased their range of responsibly produced products.

In 2015 consumption rose by 12%. The sector is now worth some €3bn in spending, with a market share of 8%. Sustainably produced eggs and fish are among the most popular products. Four out of every ten eggs sold are certified free range while a quarter of the fish comes from certified sources, the AD writes.

Consumption of sustainably-produced bread, grains, biscuits and pastries increased by 22% while the sale of coffee and tea went up by 17%. Meat consumption went up by 19%. Sustainably-produced juices went down by 9% but this is due to a general slump in the sales of fizzy drinks, and juices in particular.

According to Van Dam the figures ‘are a boost to farmers, food producers and supermarkets who are opting for more naturally produced food.’