While a small fraction of U.S. agriculture, the number of certified organic operations is climbing at the fastest rate since 2008. The USDA says there are 21,781 organic operations, up 12 percent in a year. The United States accounts for two-thirds of the organic producers worldwide. “Organic food is one of the fastest-growing segments of American agriculture,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA’s strong support for the vibrant organic sector is helping to create jobs and opportunities in rural America.”
Organic food sales totaled $36 billion in 2014, nearly 5 percent of the total food market, says the Organic Trade Association, which will report in May on 2015 sales. Fruits and vegetables were one-third of total organic sales and 12 percent of the overall U.S. produce market. Organic dairy was the second-largest segment with sales of $5.5 billion.
“Farmers throughout the country are increasingly understanding the many benefits of organic, whether it is environmental benefits through organic farming practices or financial benefits because of strong organic premiums,” said OTA chief executive Laura Batcha.
Organic farms occupy 1 percent of U.S. cropland and are 1 percent of the 2.067 million farms. The largest numbers of organic farms are on the West Coast, in New England and the upper Midwest. More than 4 percent of fruit and vegetable land in the country is certified organic. Conversion to organic production includes a three-year period without use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Among other rules, genetically engineered crops are barred on organic farms.
The “big box” retailer Costco is trying something new in the scramble to procure enough organic food to keep up with customer demand, says the Seattle Times: “It’s working with farmers to help them buy land and equipment to grow organics. … So far, Costco is working with just one partner, loaning money to help San Diego-based Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce buy equipment and 1,200 acres of land in the Mexican state of Baja California. But Costco is looking at expanding the initiative.”
“A powerful local and regional food movement is growing inside the United States; a movement that directly connects consumers with how, where and by whom their food is grown,” said Vilsack in a blog. The local food system, with sales estimated at $12 billion in 2014, “has become one of the four foundational pillars on which the U.S. Department of Agriculture bases its policies and programming,” said Vilsack. The USDA says it has put more than $1 billion in local and regional food business and infrastructure projects since 2009.