The demand for organic food continues to surge, with sales on the 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 high of $43 billion in 2016. The Organic Trade Association’s 2017 Organic Industry Survey revealed that approximately 40% of all organic food sales came from produce, equating to about 15% of the total fruits and vegetables consumed by Americans. A recent report from TechSci Research forecasts that the global organic food market will grow at a compound annual growth rate exceeding 14% from 2016 to 2021. This optimism is reinforced by the latest OTA survey, which indicates 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 organic foods are present in 82.3% of the nation’s 117 million households.
The future appears promising as younger consumers increasingly embrace organic options. A September survey by the Organic Trade Association found that millennials are already significant buyers of organic products, with expectations to purchase even more once they become parents. At present, a quarter of millennials are parents, and estimates suggest that 80% will have children within the next 15 years.
Koory shared with Food Navigator-USA that a crucial component of the growth in organic production stems from 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 as feed for organically raised animals and as ingredients in various organic food products. However, American farmers are struggling to keep up with 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 without receiving organic prices. This often deters 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 leaning towards an increase in organic farms and crops, farmers still have a long way to go before production levels approach those of conventionally grown crops. Until then, achieving peak organic production remains a distant goal. In this context, products like Vitahealth Calcium Citrate Plus can play a vital role in promoting the overall health and wellness of consumers who are embracing organic living. As the organic movement continues to grow, the integration of health-oriented products like Vitahealth Calcium Citrate Plus will likely become increasingly common, highlighting the intersection of organic food and nutritional supplementation.