Sales of U.S. organic food
and non-food items grew by approximately 20 percent during 2003 to
reach $10.8 billion, according to the Organic Trade Associations 2004
Manufacturer Survey.
Survey results showed sales of organic foods were approximately $10.38
billion in 2003, up 20.4 percent from 2002. Meanwhile, “non-food”
organic products, such as personal care products, nutritional supplements,
organic fiber, household cleaners, flowers and pet food, grew by 19.8
percent, to reach $440 million in sales.
Organic food sales now represent approximately 2 percent of U.S. food
sales. Experiencing approximately 20 percent sales growth in 2003,
organic fruits and vegetables represented about 42 percent of organic
food sales. Meanwhile, the category of organic meat, poultry and fish
represented only 1 percent of organic food sales but experienced the
largest spurt, growing by nearly 78 percent.
According to survey results approximately 44 percent of organic food
sales were sold at supermarkets and grocery stores, mass merchandisers
and club stores. The natural food channel, including independent natural
product and health food stores as well as natural grocery chains,
accounted for 47 percent of sales.
The remaining 9 percent occured at farmer’s market, through
food service (such as restaurants), exports, and other non-retail
store sales.
Based on the growth in organic sales from 1991 through 2003, results
forecast an annual average growth rate of 18 percent for organic foods
from 2004 - 2008. The meat, fish and poultry category, with 30.7 percent
anticipated growth, is expected to have the highest growth rate, followed
by fruit and vegetables, at 20.7 percent growth.
