Market News

Organic food sales increased last year

TheOrganic Trade Association says the demand for organic foods continued to grow last year despite the downturn in the economy. A survey by Lieberman Research Group found organic food sales increased 15.8 percent in 2008. At $22.9 billion, organics accounted for 3.5 percent of total U.S. food saleslast year.

More than a third of organic food sold last year, 37 percent were fruits and vegetables. Dairy had 14 percent and beverages had 14 percent of total organic sales. Beverages showed the most growth among organic categories in 2008 increasing 40 percent over theprevious year’s sales.

Sales of organic products other than food such as personal care products and fibers increased 39.4 percent last year to $1.64 billion.