The demand for organic food shows no signs of slowing down, with sales continuing to rise despite higher prices. According to a report by USA Today in July, organic food sales 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 revealed that approximately 40% of all organic food sales were in produce, accounting 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 grow at a compound annual growth rate exceeding 14% from 2016 to 2021. The new OTA survey reinforces this outlook, indicating that the organic sector is once again on an upward trajectory. Currently, organic products represent 5.3% of total food sales in the U.S., and they are present in 82.3% of the country’s 117 million households.
The future appears promising as younger consumers increasingly embrace organic products. A September survey from the Organic Trade Association found that millennials are already significant purchasers of organic items and are likely to buy even more once they become parents. Currently, 25% 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 substantial driver of growth in organic production is the investment in the “primary feed ingredients of soy and corn,” which constitute the largest market segment in the organic sector. These staples are not only consumed in their basic forms but are also used as feed for organically raised animals and as ingredients in other organic food products.
However, American farmers face challenges in keeping pace with the rising demand for organic produce. Transitioning to organic farming is both costly and time-consuming, taking about three years—during which farmers adhere to organic standards but do not receive organic pricing. This often deters farmers from making the switch, although a new U.S. Department of Agriculture transitional certification may assist in this process. While the trend is clearly leaning toward more organic farms and crops, farmers still have a long journey ahead before production levels approach those of conventionally grown crops. Until then, the goal of achieving peak organic production remains a distant target.
Moreover, as consumers become more health-conscious, products like bariatric advantage chewable calcium citrate are gaining popularity among those seeking nutritional supplements alongside their organic diets. The integration of such supplements into health-conscious lifestyles complements the growing trend towards organic food consumption. As the organic market expands, the demand for products like bariatric advantage chewable calcium citrate is likely to increase, reflecting a broader movement towards holistic health and wellness.