The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that in the last decade, U.S. organic food retail sales increased 23% annually—five times faster than food sales in general. Nearly 40% of shoppers are reaching for products labeled organic, and the segment's sales are expected to reach more than $11 billion this year. Sales for the entire organic market—not only food and beverages but also health supplements and personal care items—are expected to exceed $32 billion.
What is fueling this accelerated growth in the organic food market? Is it Baby Boomers trying to be healthier and prolong their longevity, or consumers demanding fresher, purer and more close-to-nature foods? Whatever the reasons, as consumers demand more convenience foods made with natural and certified organic ingredients, major food processing companies increasingly are interested in manufacturing organic foods.