The US is the largest growth center in the global organic food market. In the 10-year period from 2002 to 2011, domestic organic food production inside the country's borders exploded approximately 240%, and the number of US farms growing organic products surged to nearly 18,000.
Increased share
Karan Chechi, research director with market intelligence consultancy TechSci, said that organic food products are making up a larger share of the country’s food sales.
"The organic food market contributed about 4% to the country’s overall food market in terms of revenues during 2010,” he said. “Furthermore, the retail organic food market is an emerging trend in the country.”
Chechi added that consumers in the States increased their spending on food products nearly 8% in the period ranging from 2010-2012. Food companies should anticipate demand for organic food in retail outlets to increase as well.
Market segments
The organic food market comprises three segments: fruit/vegetables, dairy products and packaged/processed foods. Chechi said that fruit and vegetables currently lead the way, but the market should see the other sectors grow stronger in coming years.
The number of organic-food brands has increased in recent years. Private-label items from Whole Foods, and brands like Amy’s Kitchen, Hain Celestial, Eden Foods are the big-name players, but established, mainstream brand owners such as General Mills are introducing a broadening number of organic products into the fray.