Organic Food Market
The American organic food market has grown at an accelerated rhythm over the last decade. Green, clean products are now a lot more visible with mainstream retailers particularly since they bring clear health benefits and a better hope for the environment. Americans are presently the most numerous consumers of organic food in the world. The second largest organic food market in the world is the now the Western European one.
More and more hectares of farmland are now managed organically. Exports have increased the economic perspective on organic agriculture and farming even in third world countries. Lots of producers have grown a business to provide products to the foreign market rather than to the local one. Such farmers often use governmental programs and financial support for the agriculture sectors in order to make investments in organic farming.
The market grew at a very accelerated pace between 2002 and 2008, but now it takes place at a slower rate than before. Regional markets become a crucial element in the equation, because local farms mainly supply their neighborhoods. Success on the local market depends on the nature of the crops and the demand for organic products. If sales are not directed locally, farmers try to export and even sell on the Internet to make sure they sell their products.
Recession has affected so many countries worldwide, and the organic food market has registered slower growth rates. It is in such time that the commitment of the consumer to organic food has been seriously tested. Sales have been a bit smaller than in previous years, yet, the organic food market has maintained an ascending course even through the 2008-2009 financial crisis. Even in dire times, organic food has remained popular. Great Britain has been the organic food market most affected by the recession.
Would consumers cut back on organic food or not? Cheaper organic products will compete better with conventional foods on the market. It remains to be seen where the future of the organic industry will lead, but we have to keep hopes up that a recovery is more than possible, with more people choosing to eat green than ever before!
