Americans are buying more organic food and household products than ever, according to a new survey.
The research — released Wednesday by the Organic Trade Association, the nation’s leading organic industry group — offers a glimpse into how the market is developing and where there is the greatest demand for organic products.
Sales of organic food and goods crested at $47 billion in 2016, an increase of more than 8 percent over the previous year. And while there are a growing number of organic personal care and household products on the market, food still accounts for the vast majority of all organic sales, with $43 billion last year. Organic food now boasts more than 5 percent of the nation’s total food sales.
“Polling shows the No. 1 reason people go organic is to avoid pesticides, chemicals and all of those things that are not allowed in organics,” said Katherine Paul, associate director of Minnesota-based Organic Consumers Association.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are most consumers’ gateway purchase into organic. It is easier to understand the potential benefits of buying raw produce that was grown using organic methods than it is to grasp how organic standards translate into a processed or packaged food, or especially household products.
source: startribune.com
