Fresh Produce
Organic Product Sales Rose by 5.2% in 2024
Organic Sales Growth 2024 Surges with Consumer Demand
Health-Conscious Shoppers Drive Record Sales
Consumer interest in clean, pesticide-free food fueled strong organic sales growth 2024, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA). In fact, organic products recorded their fastest growth in four years, far outpacing conventional grocery items.
Sales of organic food reached $65.4 billion in 2024, while non-food organic items added $6.2 billion more. Combined, they pushed total organic sales to $71.6 billion, up 5.2% from the previous year.
Produce Leads the Organic Boom
Organic produce remains the top contributor to organic food sales, totaling $21.5 billion and representing 30.1% of all organic food revenue.
This growth includes:
- A 10.3% increase in organic berries
- A 15.5% rise in banana sales
- New fruit varieties like mangoes and kiwi showing strong performance
Other produce items, like packaged salads, saw slower momentum, declining by 4.5%.
Despite this, the category still saw broad support, fueled by shoppers seeking healthier diets and better environmental choices.
Expanding Growth Across Categories
Organic grocery items reached $15 billion, with dry breakfast goods jumping 8.1%. Baby food also gained 3.8% despite supply chain limits.
Organic beverages saw a parallel 5.2% gain overall, led by:
- Dairy alternatives up 13.5%, totaling $850 million
- Organic tea up 10.5%
- Organic liquor and cocktails up 10%
Dairy and egg categories also showed impressive numbers. Organic yogurt jumped 10.5%, while egg sales rose 16.1%, reflecting growing demand despite inflation pressures.
Long-Term Outlook for Organic Sales
Looking ahead, the OTA predicts a 5.1% compound annual growth rate through 2029. That optimism reflects Gen Z and Millennial interest in wellness and clean eating.
However, challenges may still arise. Factors like tariffs and labor shortages could impact pricing and availability, potentially slowing future organic sales growth 2024 trends.
Retailers Back the Organic Trend
Major grocery distributors are investing heavily in organic offerings. United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) reported strong sales for both branded and private-label organic items, including its Wild Harvest brand.
UNFI’s CEO, Sandy Douglas, cited “broad-based consumer trends” as key drivers of the company’s organic success across multiple retail formats.
Similarly, Associated Wholesale Grocers reported that organic produce sales rose to 12.4% of total produce sales. The company now plans to expand its organic presence further this year.
Final Thought: Tracking Organic Sales Growth 2024
The rise in organic sales growth 2024 reflects a permanent shift toward health and sustainability in consumer habits. From produce to beverages, organic products are seeing momentum that stretches across age groups and income levels.