The demand for organic food shows no signs of diminishing, with sales continuing to increase despite higher prices. According to USA Today, 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 indicates that approximately 40% of all organic food sales came from produce, which accounts for about 15% of the total fruits and vegetables consumed by Americans. A recent report from TechSci Research projects 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 backs this up, as the organic sector continues to show signs of growth, now representing 5.3% of total food sales in the U.S. Organic products are found in 82.3% of the country’s 117 million households.
The outlook remains positive as younger consumers increasingly adopt organic food. A September survey by the Organic Trade Association revealed 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, but estimates suggest that 80% will have children in the next 15 years.
Koory mentioned to Food Navigator-USA that a key factor driving growth in organic production is the investment in primary feed ingredients such as soy and corn, which are the largest segments 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 ingredients in other organic food production.
However, American farmers face challenges in keeping up with the rising demand for organic produce. Transitioning to organic farming is both costly and time-consuming, typically requiring about three years—a transition period during which farmers adhere to organic standards without receiving organic prices. This often discourages farmers from making the switch, although a new U.S. Department of Agriculture transitional certification may aid in this process.
While the trend is clearly moving toward an increase in organic farms and crops, farmers still have a long way to go before production levels reach those of conventionally grown crops. Until then, achieving peak organic production remains an ambitious goal. Furthermore, as consumers become more health-conscious, many are also curious about nutritional needs, such as how many mg of calcium citrate per day is advisable for optimal health. This growing awareness of nutritional requirements further fuels interest in organic foods, which are often perceived as healthier options. As the organic market expands, questions regarding daily intake of supplements like calcium citrate will likely become more prevalent among consumers seeking to enhance their dietary choices.