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. Even in third world countries, producers have switched to organic farming because of the numerous advantages brought by exports. Lots of producers have grown a business to provide products to the foreign market rather than to the local one. There are financial aids and government products that support the development of such agriculture sectors.
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. It seems that many people’s wallets have remained green even in critical moments. The most serious drops on the organic food market have been reported in Britain, one of the most expensive countries to live in, in the world.
Consumers now have to decide whether to cut back on organic food or not. A solution here would be to get a cheaper offer of organic products that would better compete with that of traditional foods. Chances are that this will happen in the near future, because a drop in prices would encourage consume and create the premises for more extensive production.