The demand for organic food continues to surge, with sales rising despite higher prices. According to USA Today, organic food sales increased by 8.4% compared to the previous year, reaching a record $43 billion in 2016. The Organic Trade Association’s 2017 Organic Industry Survey revealed that nearly 40% of organic food sales were from produce, which accounts for about 15% of all fruits and vegetables consumed by Americans. A recent TechSci Research report predicts that the global organic food market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 14% from 2016 to 2021. This outlook is further supported by the OTA survey, indicating that the organic sector is experiencing consistent growth. Currently, organic products represent 5.3% of total food sales in the U.S., with organic food available in 82.3% of the country’s 117 million households.
The future appears promising as younger consumers increasingly adopt organic lifestyles. A September survey by the Organic Trade Association found that millennials are already significant purchasers of organic products and are likely to buy even more once they become parents, with a quarter of them currently in that stage. Estimates suggest that 80% of millennials will have children in the next 15 years.
Koory stated to Food Navigator-USA that a major factor contributing to the growth in organic production is the investment in key feed ingredients like soy and corn, which dominate the organic market. Beyond their basic forms, these staples are also used to feed organically raised animals and as ingredients in other organic food products. However, American farmers are struggling 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—a period during which farmers adhere to organic standards but do not receive organic prices. This financial challenge often deters farmers from making the switch, although a new U.S. Department of Agriculture transitional certification may facilitate this process.
While the trend is clearly moving toward more organic farms and crops, farmers still face significant challenges before production levels can approach those of conventionally grown crops. Until then, the goal of achieving peak organic production remains a distant objective. To support their health needs during this transition, many consumers are turning to supplements such as calcium citrate small pills to ensure they meet their nutritional requirements. As the organic market evolves, the incorporation of products like calcium citrate small pills may become more prevalent among health-conscious consumers.