06.01.09
U.S. sales of organic products (food and non-food) reached $24.6 billion by the end of 2008, growing 17% over the previous year, despite tough economic conditions, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA). The Greenfield, MA-based group’s 2009 “Organic Industry Survey,” conducted by Lieberman Research Group on behalf of OTA, measured the growth of U.S. sales of organic foods and beverages as well as non-food categories such as organic fibers, personal care products and pet foods during 2008. Results show organic food sales grew by nearly 16% for the year to reach almost $23 billion, while organic non-food sales grew 39% to reach $1.6 billion. As a result, organic food sales now account for approximately 3.5% of all food product sales in the U.S.