Organic produce overcomes the cost conundrum
The higher cost of organic produce is proving to be less of a sales barrier. Despite an average organic price of $2.82 per pound, versus $1.76 for conventional produce, organic volume sales were up 6.7% for the 52 weeks ending Oct. 6, 2024, reports Circana, a Chicago-based market research firm. Conventional fruit and vegetables sales grew 2.8% during the period.
https://www.supermarketnews.com/fresh-produce/organic-produce-overcomes-the-cost-conundrum
As Organic Beer Market Grows, Connoisseurs of Organic Cold Ones Can Be Proud of This Story
Be it Patagonia Provisions or Brooklyn Brewery, there is a buzz around organic beer that is increasingly evident given interest by brewing and food companies. The expansion of the organic beer market in the United States would not have been possible without the leadership of advocates, farmers, breweries, and the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), which led to the strengthening of organic standards for beer back in 2010. The growth of this sector and transition to truly organic beer speaks to the spirit of “continuous improvement,” the original design of the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA), and the importance of mobilizing the public to engage in the public input process that continues to keep organic law strong in opposition to those seeking an easier path to the organic label.
Organic farm milk sales rise even as recent farm numbers show contraction
The U.S. organic milk sector has expanded over the past three decades. In response to increased consumer demand for organic milk, producers increased the U.S. organic milk cow inventory from 2,265 cows in 1992 to 352,289 cows in 2021. This growth was paralleled by a rise in farm-level sales of organic milk, which grew by 88 percent from 2008 to 2021. Organic farm milk sales increased as a percentage of all U.S. farm milk sales from 1.5 percent in 2008 to 2.3 percent in 2021. Similarly, the number of organic dairy farms rose from 2008 to 2019, supporting higher production levels.
https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/chart-gallery/gallery/chart-detail/?chartId=110372
The ever-increasing market support for organic agriculture
“Consumers are wanting this,” Pepper said. “They want to make sure that not only are their foods free from toxic and persistent chemicals, but also where applicable that animal welfare principles are being applied, along with fair wages and good working conditions are being used to produce these products. They want to make sure that they’re covering all the angles and that they’re purchasing responsibly in a way that is both restorative and builds resilient communities.”
