04.16.15
U.S. consumers from all income levels, ages, ethnic backgrounds and political leanings are buying organic, according to the latest survey from the Organic Trade Association (OTA). Sales of organic food and non-food products in the U.S. broke another record in 2014, totaling $39.1 billion, up 11.3% from the previous year, according to OTA.
Despite the industry struggling with tight supplies of organic ingredients, organic food sales in 2014, at $35.9 billion, posted an 11% rise, while organic non-food sales, at $3.2 billion, jumped almost 14% for the biggest annual increase in six years.
In blue states and red states, across the heartland of America and all along the Gulf Coast, sales of organic products are posting double-digit increases. The majority of American households in all regions of the country now make organic a part of their supermarket and retail purchases—from 68 to almost 80% of households in southern states, to nearly 90% on the West Coast and in New England, according to market research released in April.
“On the heels of organic sales now nearing a milestone 5% share of the total food market, organic stakeholders have gathered in Washington to educate lawmakers and policymakers. Our latest industry data show robust demand and great opportunity for the organic sector,” said Laura Batcha, CEO and executive director of OTA. “OTA’s consumer survey has already found that organic doesn’t have any demographic boundaries; this additional new data prove it doesn’t have regional or partisan boundaries.”
Organic fruits and vegetables continued to be the biggest-selling organic category in 2014 with $13 billion in sales, up 12% from the previous year, and making up more than 36% of all organic food sales. Of all the produce now sold in the U.S., 12% of it is organic, a market share that has more than doubled in the past 10 years when organic produce sales accounted for only 5% of the fruit and vegetable market.
The organic dairy sector posted an almost 11% jump in sales in 2014 to $5.46 billion, the biggest percentage increase for that category in six years.
Sales of organic non-food products—accounting for 8% of the total organic market—posted the biggest percentage gain in six years, with sales of organic fiber and organic personal care products the standout categories.
“In this most political of towns, it’s nice to talk about something that is non-partisan, and that is today’s organic market,” said Ms. Batcha. “Organic cuts across all regions, all ages, all income groups, all states whether they’re red states or blue states. Organic is the face of America.”
OTA’s Organic Industry Survey was conducted and produced by Nutrition Business Journal. Over 200 companies responded to the survey, conducted this year from Feb. 10 through April 3.
Recent data collected from more than 100,000 households across the country through IRI Shopper Network of bar code items purchased at supermarkets and other retail outlets has also been compiled by SPINS, a market research firm for the organic and natural industry. Findings showed booming growth trends for organic, and an increasing penetration by organic into conventional channels.
The U.S. organic sector has expanded significantly since OTA first began tracking the industry’s performance in 1997. In 1997, organic food sales totaled around $3.4 billion, and accounted for less than 1% of total food sales. In 2014, organic food claimed almost 5% of the total food sales in the U.S., and has consistently far outshone the 3% growth pace for the total food industry.
Despite the industry struggling with tight supplies of organic ingredients, organic food sales in 2014, at $35.9 billion, posted an 11% rise, while organic non-food sales, at $3.2 billion, jumped almost 14% for the biggest annual increase in six years.
In blue states and red states, across the heartland of America and all along the Gulf Coast, sales of organic products are posting double-digit increases. The majority of American households in all regions of the country now make organic a part of their supermarket and retail purchases—from 68 to almost 80% of households in southern states, to nearly 90% on the West Coast and in New England, according to market research released in April.
“On the heels of organic sales now nearing a milestone 5% share of the total food market, organic stakeholders have gathered in Washington to educate lawmakers and policymakers. Our latest industry data show robust demand and great opportunity for the organic sector,” said Laura Batcha, CEO and executive director of OTA. “OTA’s consumer survey has already found that organic doesn’t have any demographic boundaries; this additional new data prove it doesn’t have regional or partisan boundaries.”
Organic fruits and vegetables continued to be the biggest-selling organic category in 2014 with $13 billion in sales, up 12% from the previous year, and making up more than 36% of all organic food sales. Of all the produce now sold in the U.S., 12% of it is organic, a market share that has more than doubled in the past 10 years when organic produce sales accounted for only 5% of the fruit and vegetable market.
The organic dairy sector posted an almost 11% jump in sales in 2014 to $5.46 billion, the biggest percentage increase for that category in six years.
Sales of organic non-food products—accounting for 8% of the total organic market—posted the biggest percentage gain in six years, with sales of organic fiber and organic personal care products the standout categories.
“In this most political of towns, it’s nice to talk about something that is non-partisan, and that is today’s organic market,” said Ms. Batcha. “Organic cuts across all regions, all ages, all income groups, all states whether they’re red states or blue states. Organic is the face of America.”
OTA’s Organic Industry Survey was conducted and produced by Nutrition Business Journal. Over 200 companies responded to the survey, conducted this year from Feb. 10 through April 3.
Recent data collected from more than 100,000 households across the country through IRI Shopper Network of bar code items purchased at supermarkets and other retail outlets has also been compiled by SPINS, a market research firm for the organic and natural industry. Findings showed booming growth trends for organic, and an increasing penetration by organic into conventional channels.
The U.S. organic sector has expanded significantly since OTA first began tracking the industry’s performance in 1997. In 1997, organic food sales totaled around $3.4 billion, and accounted for less than 1% of total food sales. In 2014, organic food claimed almost 5% of the total food sales in the U.S., and has consistently far outshone the 3% growth pace for the total food industry.
