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Organic food sales increased 7.7% last year

The Organic Trade Association says organic food sales grew 7.7 percent in 2010 to $28.6 billion. In its annual Organic Industry Survey, the group found the most growth was in organic fruits and vegetables, which represent 39.7 percent of total organic food value, and nearly 12 percent of all U.S. fruit and vegetable sales. Total organic fruits and vegetable sales reached nearly $10.6 billion in 2010, up 11.8 percent from 2009. Organic dairy, the second-largest category, experienced nine percent growth to achieve a value of $3.9 billion, and captured nearly six percent of the total U.S. market for dairy products.

To go with the increase in sales, 40 percent of the surveyed organic companies added employees to meet the need and 46 percent plan to hire more help this year.