Preliminary findings from the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) 2006 Manufacturer Survey released at OTA’s All Things OrganicTM Conference and Trade Show at McCormick Place show U.S. organic food sales totaled nearly $14 billion in 2005, representing 2.5 percent of all retail sales of food.
Organic foods’ share of total food sales is up from 1.9 percent in 2003. According to survey results, sales of organic foods are expected to reach nearly $16 billion by the end of 2006. Meanwhile, non-food products, including personal care, flowers, pet food, fiber (linen and clothing), household cleaners, and nutritional supplements, grew by 32.5 percent overall to reach $744 million in sales during 2005.
“These findings show there is continued strong growth for organic products, which means additional opportunities for farmers and more choices for consumers,” said Caren Wilcox, OTA’s executive director. Organic products are grown without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and must meet USDA regulations to use the organic label.
Organic food categories experiencing the greatest growth during 2005 included meat (55.4 percent), condiments (24.2 percent), and dairy products (23.5 percent). The fastest-growing non-food categories during 2005 were organic flowers (50 percent), pet food (46 percent), and fiber (44 percent).
OTA contracted with Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ) of San Diego, CA, to conduct the survey and analyze the results. NBJ conducted the survey in March and April.