Organic Food Industry

Organic foods now occupy prominent shelf space in the produce and dairy aisles of most mainstream U.S. food retailers.  Organic refers to the way agricultural products and foods are grown and processed. Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers.

The Organic Trade Association’s 2011 Organic Industry Survey showed that the organic industry grew at a rate of nearly eight percent in 2010, with the growth being over $28.6 billion.  Some facts from that survey are:

• U.S. sales of organic food and beverages have grown from $1 billion in 1990 to $26.7 billion in 2010.  
• Organic food and beverage sales represented approximately 4 percent of overall food and beverage sales in 2010. Leading were organic fruits and vegetables, now representing over 11 percent of all U.S. fruit and vegetable sales.
• Organic non-food sales grew 9.7 percent in 2010, to reach $1.97 billion.
• Mass market retailers (mainstream supermarkets, club/warehouse stores, and mass merchandisers) in 2010 sold 54 percent of organic food. Natural retailers were next, selling 39 percent of total organic food sales.