Organic Industry Statistics

Organic food continues to be fastest growing segment of food sales in North America!

The Organic Industry

Organic refers to the way agricultural products - food and fiber- are grown and processed. Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. The use of genetic engineering, sewage sludge, cloning, and irradiation are prohibited in organic production and processing.

U.S. sales of organic food and beverages have grown from $1 billion in 1990 to an estimated $20 billion in 2007, and are projected to reach nearly $23.6 billion in 2008.
Representing approximately 2.8 percent of overall food and beverage sales in 2006, this continues to be a fast growing sector, growing 20.9 percent during 2006.
Organically grown and produced ingredients can also be found in such non-food items as personal care products, apparel, textiles, toys, supplements, and pet foods. Organic non-food sales grew 26 percent in 2006.
Total U.S. organic sales, including food and non-food products, were $17.7 billion in 2006, up 21 percent from 2005. They are estimated to have reached $21.2 billion in 2007, and are projected to surpass $25 billion in 2008.

Source: Organic Trade Association's 2007 Manufacturer Survey (to order visit OTA's Bookstore)

Organic Trade Association: Your Link to the Organic Marketplace

The Organic Trade Association (OTA), founded in 1985, is the membership-based business association that represents all sectors of the North American organic industry, from farm to retail. OTA produces a variety of fact sheets and resources to answer questions about organic products. Visit OTA's Newsroom for press releases and to read the What's News in Organic newsletter.

In addition, check out the following resources OTA offers:
The Organic Pages Online: www.TheOrganicPages.com
How To Go Organic™.com: www.HowToGoOrganic.com

Organic Trade Association, P.O. Box 547, Greenfield, MA 01302
Phone: 413-774-7511 • Fax: 413-774-6432 • Web: www.ota.com