By Justin Walker
Communications Specialist
Organic sales hit all-time highs last year, according to the Organic Industry Survey.
The survey, released last week by the Organic Trade Association, showed the U.S. organic market made $52.5 billion in 2018, crushing previous records and surpassing the $50 billion mark for the first time.
Both the organic food and non-food markets had record-breaking years. Organic food sales saw a 5.9 percent increase to $47.9 billion. Organic non-food sales rose 10.6 percent to $4.6 billion.
The rapid increase of organic sales outpaces that of conventionally-grown food and non-food items, which rose 2.3 and 3.7 percent, respectively.
Organic produce remains to be the key to the market’s success. Sales for organic fruits and vegetables hit $17.4 billion in 2018, accounting for roughly 36 percent of organic food sales and 14.6 percent of all produce sold in the U.S.
For many organic consumers, produce serves as the entry to organic items. Carrots, greens, apples and bananas served as the popular produce items for the target audience, especially millennials and young families.
Organic dairy and egg sales finished at $6.5 billion, up 0.8 percent and finishing as the second-largest category.
Non-food items also saw growth last year, which feature products such as napkins, pet foods and body lotions. Fiber had the largest growth in 2018, reaching $1.8 billion in sales and accounting for 40 percent of the category.
Despite ongoing challenges for organic markets, continued growth in sales gives hope to industry experts.