The demand for organic food continues to surge, with sales rising steadily despite higher prices. According to a report by USA Today in July, organic food sales increased by 8.4% from the previous year, reaching a record $43 billion in 2016. The Organic Trade Association’s 2017 Organic Industry Survey indicated that approximately 40% of all organic food sales were attributed to key staples, translating to about 15% of the total fruits and vegetables consumed by Americans. A recent TechSci Research report projected that the global organic food market would grow at a compound annual growth rate exceeding 14% from 2016 to 2021. This optimistic outlook is further supported by the OTA’s findings, which show that the organic sector is experiencing significant growth, now representing 5.3% of total food sales in the U.S. Organic products are found in 82.3% of the nation’s 117 million households.
Looking ahead, the future appears promising as younger consumers increasingly embrace organic options. A September survey by the Organic Trade Association revealed that millennials are already significant purchasers of organic products, and their buying habits are expected to increase as they become parents. Currently, about 25% of millennials are parents, with estimates suggesting that 80% will have children within the next 15 years.
According to Koory from Food Navigator-USA, a substantial factor contributing to the growth in organic production is the investment 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 to feed organically raised animals and are incorporated into other organic food products. However, American farmers are struggling to keep pace with the rising demand for organic produce. Transitioning to organic farming is a costly and lengthy process, typically taking around three years. During this transition, farmers must adhere to organic standards without receiving organic prices, which often deters them from making the switch. A new USDA transitional certification may assist in overcoming these challenges.
While the trend is clearly moving toward an increase in organic farms and crops, there remains a significant gap in production levels compared to conventionally grown crops. Until this gap is closed, the aspiration of achieving peak organic production remains a distant goal. Additionally, as consumers increasingly turn to platforms like Amazon for their purchases, including products like calcium citrate supplements, the market for organic foods is likely to see even further expansion in the coming years.