What is in this article?:
- Top organic market trends driving growth in 2012
- Organic dairy market stakes its claim
- Organic farms more profitable
- The rise of organic+
- Non-GMO movement gains serious steam
Organic's had a busy year and, arguably, one of its loudest when it comes to preserving our country's pure food supply. Here are the top milestones of 2011 along with trends that will drive organic market growth in the coming year.
Transparency—the 2011 buzzword on the minds of many business people, natural or not—rings no truer than for the organic industry. This year, consumers, retailers and manufacturers raised their voices louder than ever before in hopes of effecting policy change on GMO labeling. But despite all the press, is consumer behavior following its lip service?
A look into the availability of organic in conventional stores reveals the answer. According to the Organic Trade Association’s 2011 Organic Industry Survey, mass market retailers were responsible for 54 percent of organic food sales in 2010. Natural retailers—the backbone of industry—were next, with 39 percent of total organic food sales. We're betting 2011 moved the needle even further.
The most recent numbers from Nutrition Business Journal indicate good things ahead for organic. Organic sales brought in $23.4 billion in 2010, growing 8.4 percent over 2009 sales, with a continued trend upward for 2011. Here, we look back on the memories and milestones of the organic market in 2011 and the trends driving the category's future in 2012.