Jun 5, 2024

Report: U.S. organic produce sales increase

The Organic Produce Network’s (OPN) data reveals insights on organic produce sales.

Topping $9.6 billion, organic produce sales in the U.S. grew by 1.6% in 2023, while volume declined 0.1%, according to the State of Organic Produce 2023 report.

The report produced by OPN with data analysis by Category Partners showed conventional produce sharing a similar trend, with a year-over-year sales increase of 1.9% and nearly flat volume growth of 0.1%, according to a news release.

Repeating its percentage shares of the prior two years, organic produce made up 12% of all retail produce sales in 2023 and accounted for 7% of total produce volume, according to the release.

The 68-page State of Organic Produce 2023 report provides an overall view of organic produce retail performance in 2023 as well as specific insights into the top 20 organic produce categories.

By total sales, berries held the top organic produce spot for the second year in a row in 2023, raking in $1.6 billion. Packaged salads followed close behind, with sales of $1.51 billion, and apples took a distant third with sales of $660 million.

The banana category continued to be the top-volume mover of the organic fresh produce sector in 2023, with 538 million pounds sold, and berries eclipsed carrots to narrowly take second place with a volume of 251 million pounds.

As was the case in 2022, year-over-year sales performance among individual organic produce categories in 2023 varied quite widely: broccoli (7.5%), citrus (7.1%), and berries (6%) showed the best growth, while avocados (−6.6%), kale (−5.9%), and packaged salads (−3%) were the worst performers.

Regarding sales by volume, year-over-year organic produce performance also ranged widely. Citrus had a standout year with a volume increase of 18.2%. Cucumbers (8.6%) and broccoli (6.3%) also performed well. The widest year-over-year loss was found in celery (−16.6%), which was at least in part due to wet and cold weather in California. The next-worst volume performers in 2023 were grapes (−10.4%) and bell peppers (−7%).

Read more of the report here.