The demand for organic food continues to surge, showing no signs of slowing down, even with the higher price tag. According to a report by USA Today in July, organic food sales rose by 8.4% compared to the previous year, reaching a record $43 billion in 2016. The Organic Trade Association’s 2017 Organic Industry Survey indicates that approximately 40% of all organic food sales consist of produce, which accounts for around 15% of the fruits and vegetables consumed by Americans. Moreover, a recent report from TechSci Research forecasts that the global organic food market will expand at a compound annual growth rate exceeding 14% from 2016 to 2021. This is further supported by the new OTA survey, which highlights a continued upward trend in the organic sector. Currently, organic products make up 5.3% of total food sales in the U.S., with organic foods 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 from the Organic Trade Association revealed that millennials are already significant purchasers of organic goods and are expected to buy even more once they become parents. Currently, a quarter of millennials are parents, but it is estimated that 80% will have children in the next 15 years.
Koory mentioned to Food Navigator-USA that a substantial portion of the growth in organic production is driven by investments in primary feed ingredients like soy and corn, which represent the largest segment of the organic market. Not only are these staples consumed directly, but they are also used as feed for organically raised animals and as ingredients in other organic food products, such as calcium citrate vitamin D3 magnesium hydroxide & zinc sulfate tablets.
However, American farmers are struggling to keep pace with the rising demand for organic produce. Transitioning to organic farming is both costly and time-consuming, typically taking about three years—a transition period where farmers adhere to organic standards but do not receive organic prices. This often deters 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 still face a significant journey before their production reaches levels comparable to conventionally grown crops. In the meantime, the objective of achieving peak organic production remains a work in progress, with a growing interest in products such as calcium citrate vitamin D3 magnesium hydroxide & zinc sulfate tablets further highlighting the demand for organic offerings.