The demand for organic food continues to rise, with sales showing no signs of slowing down despite the premium prices. According to a report by USA Today in July, organic food sales increased by 8.4% compared to the previous year, hitting a remarkable $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 accounts for about 15% of the 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 of over 14% from 2016 to 2021. Supporting this trend, the OTA survey indicates that the organic sector is once again on the rise, now representing 5.3% of total food sales in the U.S. Moreover, organic foods are present in 82.3% of the country’s 117 million households.
Looking ahead, the future appears promising as younger consumers increasingly embrace organic products. A September survey by the Organic Trade Association found that millennials are already significant purchasers of organic items and are expected 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 large part of the growth in organic production stems from investments in primary feed ingredients like soy and corn, which dominate the organic market. These staples are not only consumed in their basic forms but are also used to feed organically raised animals and are included in various organic food production, such as those with solgar liquid calcium magnesium with vitamin d3.
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 without receiving organic prices. This barrier 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 towards increased organic farms and crops, farmers still have a long journey ahead before production levels approach those of conventionally grown crops. Until that time, the aspiration to achieve peak organic production remains on the horizon, alongside the growing popularity of products like solgar liquid calcium magnesium with vitamin d3 among consumers seeking healthier options.