Organic Sector Still Growing

 According to Annie White of Inside Grower, the market continues to grow for organic food!

And that comes as good news for organic farmers and producers as the consumer-driven U.S. organic market surpasses $31 billion!

“With 94% of organic operations nationwide planning to maintain or increase employment in 2012, the organic sector will continue to fuel jobs, rural economies and consumer choice,” said Christine Bushway, executive director of Organic Trade Association (OTA.)

Annie provides a few findings from the 2012 Organic Industry Survey from the OTA:

• Organic sales of all products had a 9.5% ($2.5 billion) increase in 2011, while conventionally produced products (both food and non-food items) had a 4.7% increase.
• Organic food sales now represent 4.2% of all U.S. food sales, up from 4% in 2010.
• The fruit and vegetable category accounted for nearly 50% of those new dollars in 2011
• The organic food and beverage sector had sales of $29.22 billion in 2011, a 9.4% increase over 2010
• There are 17,600 certified organic farms, ranches and businesses in the U.S.
• Seventy-eight percent of U.S. families report they buy organic.
• More than half of parents surveyed report they have a high level of trust for certified USDA organic products.

Bushway adds, “Consumers are increasingly engaged and discerning when they shop, making decisions based on their values and awareness about health and environmental concerns. For them, it matters whether foods are genetically engineered, or produced using practices that are good for their families. Price is still an issue, but with the wide availability of private label products and many venues for organic products, they have many choices for where to shop and a variety of products from which to choose.”

And I agree, with the increase of Whole Foods stores and farmers markets, organic food no longer sits on the peripheral of the supermarkets.  It's here to stay.

 

 Katie @KatieGMG
http://www.gardenmediagroup.com

Conscious Consumers

Finally, a new Whole Foods just opened in Glen Mills, PA. And, to no ones surprise, opening day was a zoo!

Whole Foods says: "Our store provides a truly unique grocery store experience. We care about product knowledge, we care about quality standards, and we care about the Glen Mills community." 

Consumers tend to be willing to pay more for organics, which is why Whole Foods stores are popping up in suburban towns across America. 

• 78% of U.S. families are buying some kind of organic food
• 4 in 10 families say they are buying more organic products than they were a year ago
• 3 in 10 families say they are new entrants to the organic marketplace.
• 48% of parents said their strongest motivator for buying organic was their belief that organic products “are healthier for me and my children."

Other motivators included concern over the effects of pesticides, hormones and antibiotics on children, and the desire to avoid highly processed or artificial ingredients.

OTA's 2011 Organic Industry Survey found the U.S. organic industry grew at a rate of nearly 8% in 2010.

SO, what do you think?  Do you shop organic? Does the added cost turn you away or is it a valuable investment for you?

"Some more stats on organic food from Organic Trade Association’s 2011 Organic Industry Survey:

• U.S. sales of organic food and beverages have grown from $1 billion in 1990 to $26.7 billion in 2010. Sales in 2010 represented 7.7% growth over 2009 sales. Experiencing the highest growth in sales during 2010 were organic fruits and vegetables, up 11.8% over 2009
• Organic food and beverage sales represented approximately 4% of overall food and beverage sales in 2010. Leading were organic fruits and vegetables, now representing over 11% of all U.S. fruit and vegetable sales.
  
• Organic non-food sales grew 9.7% in 2010, to reach $1.97 billion.
  
• Total U.S. organic sales, including food and non-food products, were $28.682 billion in 2010, up 9.7% from 2009.
  

The report is available for purchase HERE. 

‏ @KatieGMG

Garden Media Group