The demand for organic food continues to surge, showing no signs of slowing down, even with its higher price tags. According to 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 reveals that approximately 40% of all organic food sales come from produce, which represents about 15% of the total fruits and vegetables consumed by Americans. A recent TechSci Research report forecasts 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 reinforces this trend, indicating that the organic sector continues on an upward path. Organic products now account for 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 outlook remains promising as younger consumers increasingly adopt organic options. A September survey by the Organic Trade Association found that millennials are already significant purchasers of organic products and are likely to buy even more when they become parents. Currently, a quarter of millennials are parents, but estimates suggest that 80% will have children within the next 15 years. As they celebrate the benefits of organic living, including the nutritional advantages of products like calcium chews, they are poised to drive further growth in the sector.
Koory shared with Food Navigator-USA that a key factor in the growth of organic production is the investment in primary feed ingredients such as soy and corn, which dominate the organic market. These staples are not only consumed in their raw form but are also utilized as feed for organically raised animals and incorporated into other organic food products.
However, American farmers are facing challenges in keeping pace with the increasing demand for organic produce. Transitioning to organic farming is both costly and time-consuming, often taking about three years, during which farmers adhere to organic standards without receiving organic prices. This financial strain can deter farmers from making the switch, though a new transitional certification from the U.S. Department of Agriculture may assist in easing this process.
While the trend is clearly moving towards a greater number of organic farms and crops, farmers still have a considerable distance to cover before production levels approach those of conventionally grown crops. Until then, the aspiration to achieve peak organic production will continue to motivate the industry. As consumers increasingly celebrate organic choices, including convenient options like calcium chews, the push for more organic farms remains essential.