Clean eating trends in the United States influence consumer choices in the produce sector. A recent LendingTree study highlights that organic produce commands a premium of 52.6% over conventional produce.
Matt Schulz, LendingTree chief consumer finance analyst, comments, "We've come to expect organic fruits and veggies to cost more, but paying a 50.0% premium can be pretty hard to swallow." He notes that inflation pressures may limit consumers' ability to afford the higher costs of organic produce.
Price disparities are particularly evident in specific produce items. Iceberg lettuce shows the largest discrepancy, with organic versions priced at $3.38 compared to $1.21 for conventional, a 179.3% increase. Similarly, organic Brussels sprouts cost $4.99 per pound, whereas conventional ones are priced at $2.20, resulting in a 126.8% difference.
Source: Genetic Literacy Project