Do You Have Organic in Your House?

Organic food sales skyrocketed last year in the United States, jumping to $43 billion, an increase of 8.6% from 2015 and the first time that sales have surpassed the $40 billion mark! With 82.3% of households purchasing organic items, consumers are becoming more informed, more health-conscious, and more sustainably minded. This has many implications, the most obvious one being consumer health, but it is also extremely positive news for the environment as it implies less use of synthetic agrochemicals in our food system.

This shift towards organics is occurring globally. In France, nine out of 10 people ate organic foods last year. The organic market grew by a whopping 22% in 2016 to €7 billion. In Germany, the market has grown from €2.9 billion in 2006 to a whopping €9 billion last in 2016. In the United States, over 80% of households had organic food. In China, organic food consumption tripled between 2007 and 2015. Across the world, people are changing their way of eating to a healthier, more sustainable diet.

This increase in consumer knowledge has widespread impact on the global economy and the environment. Organic farms are surviving, and not just that – they are thriving and expanding! More than 60% of all organic businesses with more than five employees reported an increase in full-time employment in 2016. New organic processing facilities are being opened, and supplier and handler jobs are also increasing.

The expansion of organic farms brings with it the increased sustainability of farmland. In 2016, the US had a record 4.1 million acres of organic farmland, 11% more than in 2014. Globally, there are 50.9 million hectares of agricultural land, 6.5 million hectares more than in 2014. While this only represents 1.1% of total agricultural land, when farmers see that organic is a lucrative, as well as environmentally-friendly, option the earth will become more sustainable, safer, and healthier for all!