The demand for organic food continues to surge, with sales on the rise despite their premium prices. According to a July report by USA Today, organic food sales increased by 8.4% from the previous year, reaching a record $43 billion in 2016. The Organic Trade Association’s 2017 Organic Industry Survey revealed that about 40% of all organic food sales were from produce, which accounts for approximately 15% of the total fruits and vegetables consumed by Americans. Furthermore, a recent report by TechSci Research predicts that the global organic food market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 14% from 2016 to 2021. The latest OTA survey supports this trend, indicating that the organic sector is once again on the rise. Currently, organic products represent 5.3% of total food sales in the U.S., and organic foods are present in 82.3% of the nation’s 117 million households.
The future appears promising as younger consumers increasingly adopt organic products. A September survey by the Organic Trade Association highlighted that millennials are already significant purchasers of organic goods and are likely to buy even more once they become parents. Presently, a quarter of millennials are parents, but projections suggest that 80% will have children within the next 15 years. Koory informed Food Navigator-USA that a substantial factor driving growth in organic production is the investment in key feed ingredients like soy and corn, which form the largest segment of the organic market. These staples are not only consumed in their basic form but are also used as feed for organically raised animals and as components in other organic food products.
Nevertheless, American farmers are struggling to keep pace with the rising demand for organic produce. Transitioning to organic farming is both costly and time-consuming, taking approximately three years during which farmers must adhere to organic standards without receiving organic prices. This often discourages farmers from making the switch, although a new transitional certification from the U.S. Department of Agriculture may assist in this process. While the trend is clearly moving towards an increase in organic farms and crops, farmers have a long journey ahead before production levels approach those of conventionally grown crops. Until that time, the aspiration to achieve peak organic production remains an ongoing challenge.
Additionally, as consumers seek health benefits, products fortified with calcium citrate malate and vitamin D3 are becoming increasingly popular in the organic market, emphasizing the connection between organic food and nutritional wellness.