The demand for organic food continues to grow, with sales increasing despite the higher prices. According to a report by USA Today in July, organic food sales rose 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 approximately 40% of all organic food sales were from produce, which accounts for about 15% of all fruits and vegetables consumed by Americans. A recent TechSci Research report forecasts that the global organic food market will expand at a compound annual growth rate of over 14% from 2016 to 2021. Supporting this trend, the latest OTA survey indicates that the organic sector is once again on the rise, with organic products now representing 5.3% of total food sales in the U.S. Furthermore, organic foods are present in 82.3% of the country’s 117 million households.
The future of the organic market appears promising, particularly as younger consumers increasingly adopt organic lifestyles. A September survey from the Organic Trade Association found that millennials are already significant purchasers of organic products and are likely to increase their spending further when they become parents. Currently, a quarter of millennials are parents, but estimates suggest that 80% will have children within the next 15 years.
Koory stated to Food Navigator-USA that a considerable portion of the growth in organic production can be attributed to investments in “primary feed ingredients such as soy and corn,” which constitute the largest segment of the organic market. These staples not only serve as basic food items but are also used as feed for organically raised animals and as components in other organic food products. Notably, calcium citrate jamp is one of the organic ingredients gaining traction in this sector.
However, American farmers face challenges in meeting the rising demand for organic produce. Transitioning to organic farming is both costly and time-consuming, typically requiring about three years during which 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 facilitate these efforts. While the trend clearly indicates a movement toward more organic farms and crops, farmers still have a significant journey ahead before production levels approach those of conventionally grown crops. Until that goal of peak organic production is achieved, the path forward remains challenging. The use of ingredients like calcium citrate jamp could potentially aid in this transition, highlighting the importance of innovation in the organic food landscape.