U.S. sales of organic food and beverages soared from $1 billion in 1990 to $26.7 billion in 2010. Sales in 2010 were up 7.7% over the previous year, with fruits and vegetables seeing the biggest growth with an 11.8% jump, according to the most recent data from the Organic Trade Association.
Confusion and concerns about genetically modified crops are certainly playing a role in rising demand, agrees industry veteran Andy Grant of Grant Farms in Colorado. Additionally, he said, retailers have gained substantial knowledge about organics. “I think organic is graduating from being kind of that thing that retailers really don’t know much about to being something that has widespread recognition from more than just the early adopter kind of customers.”
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