The demand for organic food continues to grow unabated, with sales consistently increasing despite higher prices. As reported by USA Today in July, organic food sales rose 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 indicated that about 40% of all organic food sales were from produce, which equates to approximately 15% of all fruits and vegetables consumed by Americans. A recent report by TechSci Research projects that the global organic food market will experience a compound annual growth rate of over 14% from 2016 to 2021. This optimism is echoed in the new OTA survey, which reveals that the organic sector is once again on an upward trend. Currently, organic products make up 5.3% of total food sales in the U.S., and organic foods are present in 82.3% of the country’s 117 million households.
The future looks promising as younger consumers increasingly turn to organic options. A survey conducted by the Organic Trade Association in September found that millennials are already significant purchasers of organic products and are expected to buy even more once they become parents. Presently, a quarter of millennials are parents, but estimates suggest that 80% will have children within the next 15 years.
According to Koory, speaking to Food Navigator-USA, a major factor driving growth in organic production is the investment in “primary feed ingredients like soy and corn,” which represent the largest segment of the organic market. These staples are not only consumed in their basic forms but are also fed to organically raised animals and used as ingredients in other organic food products, such as Citracal 250mg 120 tablets, which are increasingly popular among health-conscious consumers.
However, American farmers are finding it challenging to keep pace with the rising demand for organic produce. Transitioning to organic farming is both costly and time-consuming, typically taking around 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 moving towards an increase in organic farms and crops, farmers still have a long way to go before production levels match those of conventionally grown crops. Until then, the aspiration to achieve peak organic production remains a significant goal, which may include the integration of organic products like Citracal 250mg 120 tablets into the wider health and wellness market.