Looking around at the various farmer's markets, natural co-ops and local food movement, you might have already released that the organic and natural food industries have been steadily growing over the past couple of years. Did you have any idea how much they're worth though?
$81 billion, according to a new report from Natural Foods Merchandiser Magazine. That number represents 7 percent growth in the industry since 2009. Pretty impressive. Several sectors of the organic food industry have been growing faster than others. Sales of dairy grew by 12 percent, produce shot up 13 percent, pet foods grew by 10 percent and sports nutrition products grew by 22 percent.
The figures should be taken with a grain of (organic) salt, given who the estimate comes from. Other estimates, however, place the value of organic sales alone at $26.6 billion in 2009. Do you think the industry can continue the impressive sales?