In 2021, the global organic food market was valued at $227 billion.
With increasing concerns about the use of pesticides, GMOs, and other harmful additives in conventional farming, more people are turning to organic food for a healthier and sustainable diet.
In this article, we’ll dive into the latest organic food statistics, exploring the growth of the industry, consumer trends, and market evolutions of organic food.
In this statistic roundup, you’ll learn about:
- Organic Food Industry: Market Size & Growth
- Organic Food Demographics: Consumer, and Consumption Habits
- The Science Behind Organic Food: Health and Environment
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Organic Food Statistics (Editor Pick)
- In 2021, the global organic food market was valued at $227 billion.
- From 2010 to 2020, the global organic production area increased by 50%.
- India is the leading organic food-producing country in the world, measured by the number of producers.
- The largest markets for organic food are the United States, Germany, and France.
- In 2021, U.S. sales of organic food products reached $52 billion. In 2010, U.S. sales of organic food products was $26.9 billion.
- In 2018, in the US certified organic products made up just 5.7% of all food sold through retail channels.
- There is no “typical” organic food consumer. Organic food consumers come from all demographics.
- Most Americans believe organic produce is better for one’s health than conventionally grown produce.
- 76% of Americans who buy organic foods say they did it to get healthier foods.
- 6% of Americans say most of the food they eat is organic.
- Organic food doesn’t appear to have a nutritional advantage over its conventional counterparts, a study shows.
- Organic foods have fewer pesticide residues than conventionally grown produce.
- A French study that followed 70,000 adults, found that the most frequent consumers of organic food had 25% fewer cancers over all than those who never ate organic.
Organic Food Industry: Market Size & Growth
Production of Organic Food
- In 2021, the global organic food market was valued at $227 billion.
- From 2010 to 2020, the global organic production area increased by 50%.
- From 2011 to 2021, certified organic cropland acres increased by 79% in the US.
- From 2011 to 2021, certified operations increased by more than 90% in the US.
- India is the leading organic food-producing country in the world, measured by the number of producers.
- India has more than 1.6 million organic food producers. It’s more than the number of all organic food producers in the other nine leading countries in the world combined.
- In 2020, the organic food market of the European Union reached 52 billion euros.
- UE has more than 343 600 organic food producers.
Market & Sales of Organic Food
- The largest markets for organic food are the United States, Germany, and France.
- The highest markets for organic food per capita consumption are in Denmark, Sweden, and Switzerland.
- The US is the largest market for organic food with 50% of the sales of organic food worldwide.
- Asia accounts for about 10% of organic retail sales.
What is the US organic food market size?
- In 2021, U.S. sales of organic food products reached $52 billion. In 2010, U.S. sales of organic food products was $26.9 billion.
- Organic food sales in the United States from 2005 to 2021 have been multiplied by 5.
What percentage of food in the US is organic?
- In 2018, in the US certified organic products made up just 5.7% of all food sold through retail channels.
Organic Food Demographics: Consumer and Consumption Habits
Who buys organic food the most?
- There is no “typical” organic food consumer. Organic food consumers come from all demographics.
- There are no differences between men and women on views of the healthfulness of organic foods.
- Millennials are more likely to purchase organic food than the older generation.
How does the general population feel about organic foods?
- Most Americans believe organic produce is better for one’s health than conventionally grown produce.
- 76% of Americans who buy organic foods say they did it to get healthier foods.
- 33% of Americans who buy organic foods say they did it to help the environment.
How many people eat only organic foods?
- 6% of Americans say most of the food they eat is organic.
- 15% of Americans say none of the food they eat is organic.
- 34% of Americans say some of the food they eat is organic.
- 68% of Americans bought organic foods of some kind (fruits, vegetables, meat, or packaged foods in the past month.
- 73% of Americans bought locally grown fruits and vegetables in the past month.
Where do you buy organic food?
- Organic food is mostly sold in conventional grocery retailers, surpassing natural food stores or farmers markets.
- Prices for organic products are usually higher than for their non-organic counterparts.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables are the top categories of organically-grown food sold in the US. About 40% of U.S. organic food sales
- In the US, organic food categories are split between 40% fresh fruits and vegetables, 13% dairy and eggs, 12% beverages, 11%, bread/grains, 6% snack foods, 5% condiments, and 4% meat/fish/poultry.
The Science Behind Organic Food: Health and Environment
What is the meaning of organic food?
- Organic food refers to crops grown without artificial pesticides, genetic modifications, or petroleum-based fertilizers. For meat, dairy, and eggs to be labeled as organic, the animals must be raised on organic feed, given adequate time outdoors, and not fed growth hormones.
ORGANIC FARMING & HEALTH
Is organic food really better for you?
While there is no strong evidence to suggest that organic food is more nutritious than conventional food, it is widely recognized that organic food is free from hazardous pesticides, genetic modifications, and antibiotics.
Many studies have shown that these substances can hurt both human health and the environment. For example, pesticides used in conventional agriculture have been linked to various health problems such as cancer and birth defects, and can also contaminate soil and water sources. Similarly, the overuse of antibiotics in conventional animal agriculture has led to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can be dangerous to human health.
Has organic food been proven to be healthier?
- Organic food doesn’t appear to have a nutritional advantage over its conventional counterparts, a study shows.
Why are so many people seeking organic foods?
- Organic foods have fewer pesticide residues than conventionally grown produce.
- 98% of non-organic apples were found to have pesticides. Up to 53 different kinds of pesticides and chemicals were found on an apple.
Is there any science behind organic food?
- Studies found that organic intake was associated with reduced incidence of infertility, birth defects, allergic sensitization, otitis media, pre-eclampsia, metabolic syndrome, high BMI, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- A French study that followed 70,000 adults, found that the most frequent consumers of organic food had 25% fewer cancers over all than those who never ate organic.
- 3 American studies suggest that pesticides are harming children’s brains
- A study found that the use of antibiotics in farm animals is a contributing factor in the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
ORGANIC FARMING & ENVIRONMENT
- Organic agriculture could reduce the need for fossil fuels for crop production by 70 percent.
- Organic farming systems have been shown to produce 40% higher yields in times of drought, use 45% less energy, and release 40% fewer carbon emissions than conventional farming methods.
- Organic plants are affected by more weeds and insects than conventional crops, and therefore lower yield at harvest time.
- Pesticides are often fatal to helpful pollinators such as bees. Organic farming techniques are better for the environment.
Sources of the Article Organic Food Statistics: USDA, Economic Research Service using data from Nutrition Business Journal, Harvard News, The Organic Trade Association, Pew Research Center – Americans’ views about and consumption of organic foods, Statistica, The New York Times, Agence Bio, York College of Pennsylvania, National Library of Medicine, Greenpeace
To learn more about sustainable living, you can also read our articles on how to live more sustainably or about sustainable beauty marketplaces.
