The US organic industry grew by 9.5 per cent in 2011, with sales reaching an impressive US$31.5bn, driven by consumer choice, according to Organic Trade Association’s 2012 Organic Industry Survey.
The organic food and beverage sector accounted for US$29.22bn of the total, while the organic non-food sector represented US$2.2bn, according to the study.
“The US organic sector continues to show steady and healthy growth,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive Director and CEO.
“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,” Bushway added.
Bushway said the price of organic products is still an issue, but with the wide availability of private label products and many venues for organic products, she claimed shoppers have many choices for where to shop and a variety of products from which to choose.
Overall organic product sales growth of 9.5 per cent continued to outpace total sales of comparable conventionally produced food and non-food items, which experienced 4.7 per cent growth.
The organic food sector grew by US$2.5bn during 2011, with the fruit and vegetable category contributing close to 50 percent of those new sales.
Organic food sales now represent 4.2 per cent of all US food sales, up from 4 per cent in 2010.
Bushway said prospects for 2012 and 2013, as indicated through the 2012 survey results, indicate that organic food and non-food sales will continue to sustain growth levels of nine percent or higher.
“With 94 per cent 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,” she explained.
No comments yet