For 2016, it was estimated that the US had something around 4.1 million acres that were dedicated to organic farming.

This was said to be roughly an 11 percent increase from 2014. Organic acres are on the rise, but production has allegedly been slow and suppliers are struggling to keep up with demand.

In the past several years, domestic demand for organic products has continued to increase, according to a recent report from CoBank. Since 2011, organic sales have doubled and it's a market that pulls in billions of dollars every year. Sales for organic food in 2015 were estimated to be around $43 billion.

At the moment, 15 percent of all fruits and veggies eaten in the USA are organic.

The sale of organic vegetables, nuts, and fruits, has seen a dramatic increase in the past several years. Despite a number of news stories suggesting that there is no difference (in the way of nutritional benefit) between organic and non, and that some businesses are using the organic label in a fraudulent manner.

According to the recent report from CoBank, it's suggested that more domestic farmers need to transition to growing organic in order to keep up with the growing demand.

When it comes to the amount of organic food the US has imported, that market has seen a growth of around 800 percent between 2011 and 2013; it's since leveled off.

It's believed that over the next 3-5 years, the organic US market will be placed under constant pressure. And when it comes to what sells the most within the organic market, produce is said to make up roughly 40 percent of all organic food sales. There's also organic cheese, organic milk, organic chips, organic chocolate, and a variety of other food items aside from produce.

Right now, the biggest seller in the US of organic food is said to be Costco, and experts in this area say that the organic section has morphed now and grown; it isn't just a niche market any longer. It used to be just a handful of stores that specialized in selling organic but now you can find organic items increasingly available at bigger chains, like Walmart, Costco, Target, and others.

And these bigger chains are trying to offer the organic items at a competitive and lower price point, which helps to introduce even more people into the organic market. It makes it affordable for them to be able to purchase these products when they are priced in a way that they can afford.

However, the downside is that it's increasing the pressure on organic suppliers. There is a fear that they won't be able to keep up with that demand. Because of this issue, we might see supply issues arise or an increase in price come about on certain products that become difficult to obtain in a timely manner.

Interest and demand for organic products isn't only growing in the US, it's expanding around the world. The global organic food market for 2014 was estimated to be around $80 billion.

banner thanks to @son-of-satire

Pics:
Pixabay
USDA - *Economic Research Service using data from NBJ via www.ers.usda.gov/topics/natural-resources-environment/organic-agriculture/organic-market-overview/

Sources:
http://civileats.com/2016/11/09/u-s-organic-farmland-hits-record-4-1-million-acres-in-2016/
http://www.fooddive.com/news/grocery--increasing-demand-for-organic-produce-could-pressure-grocers/444641/
http://www.feedstuffs.com/news/surging-demand-organic-produce-widens-us-supply-gap
https://www.ota.com/news/press-releases/19031
http://theorganicreport.com/global-organic-food-market-reaches-80-billion

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