Americans spent $35.1 billion on organic products, the bulk of it for food, last year, the fastest growth rate in five years, says the Organic Trade Association, based on a survey of more than 200 companies. Sales were up 11.5 percent, or $4 billion, from the previous year. Food sales totaled $32.3 billion and have grown by 10 percent annually since 2010 and account for 4 percent of U.S. food sales. Growth rates for organic products for the next two years are forecast to match or exceed 2013’s pace.
“The U.S. organic market is experiencing strong expansion, with organic food and farming continuing to gain in popularity,” said OTA chief executive Laura Batcha in a statement. OTA released details of the report ahead of its annual meeting next week. Information about the report is available here.