The demand for organic food continues to grow, with sales consistently rising despite the higher price point. According to USA Today, sales of organic food increased 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 were from produce, which accounts for about 15% of the total fruits and vegetables consumed by Americans. A recent TechSci Research report projects that the global organic food market will expand at a compound annual growth rate exceeding 14% from 2016 to 2021. This trend is further corroborated by the new OTA survey, which reveals that the organic sector is once again on the rise, now representing 5.3% of total food sales in the U.S. Additionally, organic foods are present in 82.3% of the nation’s 117 million households.
The future of organic food looks promising as younger consumers increasingly adopt organic options. A September survey from the Organic Trade Association found that millennials are already significant purchasers of organic products and are likely to buy even more once they become parents. Currently, a quarter of millennials are parents, and estimates suggest that 80% will have children within the next 15 years.
Koory mentioned to Food Navigator-USA that much of the growth in organic production can be attributed to investments in primary feed ingredients such as soy and corn, which dominate the organic market. These staples not only serve as basic food items but are also used to feed organically raised animals and are included as ingredients in various organic food products.
However, American farmers are struggling to keep pace with the surging demand for organic produce. Transitioning to organic farming is a costly and lengthy process, typically taking around three years—a period 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 facilitate this process. While the trend is clearly moving toward increased organic farms and crops, there is still a significant gap before production levels can approach those of conventionally grown crops. Until that goal of peak organic production is reached, the challenges remain.
Furthermore, as consumers become more health-conscious, the awareness of benefits such as calcium citrate effects is also increasing, influencing their purchasing decisions. This growing interest in health-related aspects of organic foods, including the positive calcium citrate effects, contributes to the overall demand for organic products. The intersection of health benefits and organic food consumption is likely to play a crucial role in shaping the industry’s future, as more individuals seek to incorporate the advantages of organic foods into their diets.