Some sectors of the organic produce industry may have stumbled a bit recently, but they haven’t fallen, and the Washington, D.C.-based Organic Trade Association remains optimistic for the organic category.
“Organic has proven it can withstand short-term economic storms,” said OTA co-CEO Tom Chapman. “Despite the fluctuation of any given moment, Americans are still investing in their personal health and, with increasing interest, in the environment; organic is the answer.”
Organic produce remains a common entry point for new organic buyers and has held its position as the top seller of all organic products, OTA said.
Results of the 2023 organic survey won’t be out until May, but 2022 sales of organic produce totaled $22 billion, up 3.1% from the previous year, according to OTA figures.
Organic produce now accounts for almost 15% of all fruit and vegetable sales in the U.S., OTA said.
In the overall fruit and vegetable category, fresh organic produce accounts for $20 billion (up 3.3%), or 90.7% of all organic fruit and vegetable sales.
Related: Why the industry remains optimistic about organic
The canned fruit and vegetable category also grew in 2022 — 4.7% to $724 million.
The frozen side slid a bit — 1.5% to $781 million — but was expected to return to stronger growth in 2023.
Although OTA does not break out the sales of individual fruits and vegetables, the association said berries remained popular in 2022, with raspberries performing the best followed by blackberries, blueberries and strawberries. That’s a switch from 2021, when blueberries and blackberries were ahead of raspberries in terms of volume sold.
The trend toward new varieties of fruits and vegetables was particularly evident in the organic apple category but extended to citrus, grapes, berries, melons and others, OTA said.
In the organic vegetables category, organic consumers sought the convenience of prepackaged greens and salads. Beets, bok choy and cabbages were other popular organic vegetables, and carrots continued to sell well, since there is now a strong year-round supply available, according to the association.
“Organic’s fundamental values remain strong,” Chapman said, “and consumers have demonstrated they will come back time and again because the organic system is verified and better for people, the planet and the economy.”
