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Organic sector on the upward climb

A new report from the Organic Trade Association says Americans’ consumption of organic products is on the rise.  According to the 2017 Organic Industry Survey, organic food now accounts for more than 5 percent of total food sales in the country.  Total organic sales in the US were almost $47 billion with almost $4 billion more sales from the previous year.

Organic food sales increased 8 percent to $43 billion and it was the first time the American organic food market broke through the $40 billion mark. By comparison, the growth rate for the overall food market was less than ONE-percent.

Association Director Laura Batcha says the organic industry is a bright spot in the food and ag economy.  But, she says the industry needs more organic farmers to meet the growing demand for organic products and it also needs federal, state, and local programs to help support research and market development.