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2024 Organic sales in USA surge to 9.5 billion dollars, outpacing conventional produce…

In 2024, organic fresh produce experienced a remarkable year, with sales reaching 9.5 billion dollars–an increase of 5.7% from the previous year. Once again partnering with Category Partners, Organic Produce Network has compiled an annual report, State of Organic Produce 2024, showcasing the top-performing organic produce categories, plus key factors influencing sales of organic produce.

Organic now comprises 12% of total retail produce sales and 7% of overall produce volume, reinforcing its expanding influence in the market. Organic produce volume grew by 6.1%, surpassing the 2% volume growth of conventional produce. Across all four U.S. regions, organic produce sales saw year-over-year gains, with the South leading at 7.2% growth.

Top 10 organic produce categories by sales:

  • Berries – $1.857B
  • Packaged Salads – $1.446B
  • Apples – $708M
  • Herbs & Spices – $494M
  • Bananas – $492M
  • Carrots – $446M
  • Lettuce – $382M
  • Potatoes – $354M
  • Tomatoes – $333M
  • Citrus – $303M

Top 10 organic produce categories by volume:

  • Bananas – 613M lbs
  • Apples – 281M lbs
  • Berries – 268M lbs
  • Carrots – 257M lbs
  • Packaged Salads – 180M lbs
  • Potatoes – 177M lbs
  • Citrus – 106M lbs
  • Onions – 102M lbs
  • Herbs & Spices – 94M lbs
  • Lettuce – 90M lbs

Retailer and wholesaler insights

Despite ongoing inflation, its impact on organic sales was less severe than in 2023. Climate-related disruptions, however, posed increasing challenges for supply and pricing. Retailers responded with strategies to maintain competitiveness, such as improving consumer education and ensuring organic options remained attractive.

Competitive pricing and premium product presentation remain crucial factors in driving organic sales. “While organic pricing doesn’t need to exactly match conventional produce pricing, it should be competitive enough to entice shoppers to opt for the organic option,” notes Tom Barnes, president and CEO of Category Partners. Meanwhile, shifting shopping behaviors favor organic produce, as Jonna Parker, team lead for fresh foods at Circana, observes: “People shopping ‘just in time’ are making more trips to stores for fewer things and produce is making it into the baskets on those small trips.”

Source: Organic Produce Network

About İsmail Uğural

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