Posting the largest dollar gain ever for its sector, the US organic industry raked in $43.3 billion in sales last year, up 11 percent from 2014’s record level and outpacing the overall food market’s growth rate of 3 percent.
According to the recent 2016 Organic Industry Survey compiled by the Organic Trade Association, $39.7 billion of the $43.3 billion total was from organic food sales. Despite the growth and increased availability among large and bulk retailers, supply issues remained a persistent challenge for the industry as production lagged behind consumption. In response, the organic industry has come together in creative, proactive ways to address the supply challenge, improve and develop infrastructure, and advocate for policy to advance the sector.