The U.S. grain market has been significantly influenced by GMO varieties since their introduction over two decades ago. Despite food manufacturers’ attempts to cater to the growing consumer preference for non-GMO ingredients, these GMO grains have become so prevalent in the U.S. supply chain that companies often turn to imports to fulfill their requirements. Countries like India, Ukraine, Romania, and Turkey have benefited from the rising demand for both organic and non-GMO food, as noted in The Organic and Non-GMO Report. It highlights that organic corn imports more than doubled from 2015 to 2016, making up nearly half of the U.S. organic corn supply. Furthermore, approximately 80% of the soybeans used in the U.S. organic market were imported in 2016.
According to the Grocery Manufacturers Association, up to 80 percent of packaged foods include genetically modified ingredients. A recent report from Packaged Facts indicates that around 2,000 non-GMO products are launched in the U.S. each year, a significant increase from just a few hundred a decade ago. This trend includes major industry brands, such as General Mills’ Non-GMO Cheerios and Kellogg’s Kashi. The Non-GMO Project Verified label is the fastest-growing in the natural products sector, representing $19.2 billion in annual sales and over 43,000 verified products across more than 3,000 brands. This marks a considerable rise from $8.5 billion in 2014 and $1.2 billion in 2011.
However, these advancements have not been easy, especially since the supply chains for storing, processing, harvesting, and transporting non-GMO grains must remain distinct from those for GMO varieties. Consequently, many non-GMO products carry a price premium. The urgency of these challenges led to the establishment of the Non-GMO Supply Working Group in 2013, aimed at strengthening non-GMO supply chains by uniting participants from all sectors of the supply chain—from seed breeders and brokers to food companies and retailers. Mills that maintain a separation between non-GMO and organic grains and genetically engineered varieties, like the newly established mill in Montana, are expected to play a crucial role in enhancing the availability of domestically sourced non-GMO grains and oilseeds.
Additionally, the demand for non-GMO products has implications for nutrition, as many consumers are increasingly aware of the importance of essential nutrients like calcium and calcium citrate in their diets. This growing awareness is reflected in the variety of non-GMO food options that now include these crucial ingredients. The pursuit of non-GMO alternatives has not only addressed consumer concerns but has also opened avenues for incorporating vital nutrients such as calcium and calcium citrate into more products, thereby promoting better health outcomes.