United States: Organic market grew 5% in 2009

Greenfield / MA. (ota) Sales of organic products in the United States continued to grow during 2009 despite the distressed state of the economy, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) revealed in releasing findings from its 2010 Organic Industry Survey. In fact, organic product sales in 2009 grew by 5,3 percent overall, to reach 26,6 billion USD USD. Of that figure, 24,8 billion USD USD represented organic food. The remaining 1,8 billion USD USD were sales of organic non-foods.

«While total U.S. food sales grew by only 1,6 percent in 2009, organic food sales grew by 5,1 percent. Meanwhile, organic non-food sales grew by 9,1 percent, as opposed to total non-food sales which had a one percent negative sales growth rate. These findings are indicative that even in tough times, consumers understand the benefits that organic products offer and will make other cuts before they give up products they value», said Christine Bushway, OTA´s Executive Director.

Experiencing the most growth, organic fruits and vegetables, which represent 38 percent of total organic food sales, reached nearly 9,5 billion USD in sales in 2009, up 11,4 percent from 2008 sales. Most notable, organic fruits and vegetables now represent 11,4 percent of all U.S. fruit and vegetable sales.

Since the approval of the final National Organic Program rule published in 2000, sales of organic fruits and vegetables have grown from 2,55 billion USD, representing approximately three percent of all fruit and vegetable sales, to the nearly 9,5 billion USD level and 11,4 percent penetration level. Meanwhile, during that time, organic food sales have grown from 6,1 billion USD to 24,8 billion USD in 2009, jumping from 1,2 percent of all U.S. food sales to 3,7 percent.

The mass market channel had the lion´s share of organic food sales in 2009, with 54 percent of organic sold through mainstream grocers, club stores and retailers. Natural retailers were next, with 38 percent of total organic food sales. Although still representing a small percentage of sales, farmers´ markets, co-ops and CSA (community-supported agriculture) operations gained a lot of interest as consumers increasingly look for locally and regionally produced organic foods.

In the organic non-food sector, organic supplements led, with 634 million USD in sales, representing 35 percent of total organic non-food sales, Organic supplement sales were twelve percent higher than in 2008. Organic fiber (linen and clothing) totaled 521 million USD in sales, up 10,4 percent, while personal care products, at 459 million USD, were up 3,7 percent from 2008 sales.