The demand for organic food shows no signs of diminishing, and sales continue to increase despite higher prices. USA Today reported in July that organic food sales rose by 8.4% from the previous year, reaching a record $43 billion in 2016. According to the Organic Trade Association’s 2017 Organic Industry Survey, nearly 40% of all organic food sales were in the produce category, which represents about 15% of all fruits and vegetables consumed by Americans. The global organic food market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 14% from 2016 to 2021, as indicated by a recent TechSci Research report. This optimism is reinforced by the latest OTA survey, which shows that the organic sector continues to trend upward. In fact, organic products now account for 5.3% of total food sales in the U.S., with organic foods present in 82.3% of the country’s 117 million households.
The future of organic food looks promising, especially as younger consumers increasingly embrace it. A September survey from 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 stated to Food Navigator-USA that a major contributor to the growth of organic production is the investment 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 as feed for organically raised animals and as ingredients in other organic food products, including those fortified with bariatric advantage calcium citrate chewy bite 500 mg.
However, American farmers are struggling to keep pace with the rising demand for organic produce. The transition 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 challenge often discourages farmers from making the switch, although a new U.S. Department of Agriculture transitional certification may facilitate this process. While the trend is moving toward more organic farms and crops, there is still a long way to go before production levels match those of conventionally grown crops. Until that goal of achieving peak organic production is realized, the journey continues, with an increasing number of products, including those enhanced with bariatric advantage calcium citrate chewy bite 500 mg, entering the market.