At the end of 2020, organic products registered an increase of more than 14% over the previous year. As indicated in the 2020 Organic Product Performance Report published by the Organic Produce Network and its partners, Nielsen data showed that organic fresh produce sales in 2020 reached more than $ 8.5 billion. This represents an increase over 2019 of more than USD 1 billion. Overall organic volume also increased in 2020, showing growth of 16%.

Both gains outperformed conventionally grown produce, which was only up 9% in volume and just under 11% in sales.

The 14.2% increase in organic sales is attributed to changes in consumer buying habits that occurred as a result of the global Covid-19 pandemic.

“In the face of restaurant restrictions and closures and high sales throughout the supermarket as consumers turned to food at home, sales of fresh organic produce increased last year, and consumers sought healthy, safe and healthy food options. healthy for their families. ” said Matt Seeley, Executive Director of Organic Produce Network.

Growth

Of the top 10 organic sales and volume categories, nine experienced double-digit growth; and the top three sales categories were packaged salads, berries (strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries), and apples. The categories that showed the largest year-over-year sales increases, on the other hand, were herbs and spices and potatoes. One product that experienced a decline was organic grapes, which fell 6% in both sales and volume.

“The continued strength of organic fruit and vegetable sales through 2020 despite economic challenges related to the pandemic underscores the depth of consumer demand for organic products,” said Steve Lutz, senior vice president of knowledge and innovation. from Category Partners on growth.

Looking ahead, he added that “throughout 2020, organic sales growth continued to outpace conventional [sales]. As we expect to see the pandemic begin to subside in 2021, the market opportunities for fresh organic fruits and vegetables in the coming year remain exceptional. There are wide swaths in the US where organic fruits and vegetables have a limited distribution and a reduced assortment in many conventional supermarkets. ”

According to Lutz, this suggests even more growth possibilities for various categories of organic products.