Berries and mushrooms are among the hottest organic produce items, corn could be next, and there seems to be ample opportunity for growth in the organic value-added category, industry experts say.
As U.S. sweet potato exports increase, The American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute is using special events, promotional activities and social media to tout the benefits of sweet potatoes worldwide.
While gala and Honeycrisp are two of the most familiar apple varieties grown in Michigan, growers have at least a few others they like, many of which may be on their way to becoming consumer favorites.
Organic table grapes make up another category that is growing at a rapid pace, said Stephen Paul, category director for Homegrown Organic Farms, Porterville, Calif.
The Michigan Apple Committee has created a retail dietitians’ kit to reach out to nutrition-minded consumers and is bringing back strategic partnerships to spread the word about Michigan apples.
Grower-shippers anticipate continued growth in the leafy greens and value-added salad categories, and many say they plan to expand their product lines with new organic offerings.
Southern sweet potato acreage is expected to drop again this year, leaving grower-shippers hopeful that fewer acres will result in lower volume and an uptick in prices.
