According to the 2020 Organic Produce Performance Report that was released by the Organic Produce Network and Category Partners organic produce sales increased in 2020 by 14.2 percent. That big increase came in spite of the economic turmoil caused by the economic shutdowns and many people finding themselves unemployed. Just to put it in perspective there was a 10.7 percent increase of conventional produce sales in 2020.

Another way to put the increase in demand for organic food is in dollars. Organic fresh produce food sales in 2020 saw a value of $8,542, 355,756 which was about $1 billion above 2019. Another interesting fact is that organic bananas represent the largest volume of organic food. They increased 16 percent in 2020. Packaged salads saw the largest sales category followed by berries ( strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) and then apples. Herbs and spices saw the largest increase in sales year over year being up 26 percent and potatoes follower up 21 percent.

I guess with data like this it explains why farmers are transitioning more or all of their land to organic production? I am a traditional farmer and do not have any experience with organic production. However, I have done a lot of interviews with organic farmers so I have learned a little bit about organic production. It seems like organic farmers spend a lot more time and management with organic production which likely explains why organic food is more expensive?

 

More From Fun 104