Organic Trade Association reports that U.S. sales of organic products in 2009 grew 5.3 percent overall to reach $26.6 billion. Of that figure, $24.8 billion represented organic food. The remaining $1.8 billion were sales of organic non-foods.

OTA executive director Christine Bushway said while total U.S. food sales grew by only 1.6 percent in 2009, organic food sales grew by 5.1 percent. Organic non-food sales grew by 9.1 percent, as opposed to total non-food sales which had a -1 percent sales growth rate.

Organic fruits and vegetables, which represent 38 percent of total organic food sales, accounted for nearly $9.5 billion in sales in 2009, up 11.4 percent from 2008. Organic fruits and vegetables now represent 11.4 percent of all U.S. fruit and vegetable sales. Since the approval of the National Organic Program rule in 2000, sales of organic fruits and vegetables have grown from $2.5 billion, representing approximately Organic non-food product sales, including flowers, were $1.8 billion in 2009,

up 9.1 percent from 2008. Photo courtesy of Organic Trade Association3 percent of all fruit and vegetable sales.

 

During that same time frame, organic food sales have grown from $6.1 billion to $24.8 billion in 2009, jumping from 1.2 percent of all U.S. food sales to 3.7 percent.

In the organic non-food sector, organic supplements led, with $634 million in sales, representing 35 percent of total organic non-food sales, Organic supplement sales were 12 percent higher than in 2008. Organic fiber (linen and clothing) totaled $521 million in sales, up 10.4 percent, while personal care products, at $459 million, were up 3.7 percent from 2008 sales.

 

The mass market segment accounted for the majority of organic food sales in 2009, with 54 percent sold through mainstream retail outlets. Natural retailers were next, with 38 percent of total organic food sales. Farmers’ markets, co-ops and community-supported agriculture operations had a small percentage of sales, but gained more interest as consumers increasingly look for locally and regionally produced organic foods.