'Organic Food Sales Still Growing Despite Economic Woes'
"The market research firm Euromonitor International is reporting that global sales of organic food and beverages reached almost $23 billion in 2007, with the US accounting for around 45% of the total. Typical growth rates of 20 to 30 percent for organic food sales in the United States eased in the second half of 2008… said Tom Pirovano, director of industry insights at market research firm The Nielsen Co. Sales in December were up 5.6 percent, year on year, against a 25.6 percent rise a year earlier.
It's a good bet that any industry that is still growing in these economic times is in pretty good shape. Industry watchers suggest that the core organic consumer isn't jumping ship, they're just being more careful with their food dollars.
But even in a possibly declining market there is reason for a positive outlook. Patrick Holden, the director of the UK's Soil Association says, 'Organic food with a local story is bucking the recession. This recession has destabilized things a little, but not catastrophically.'
What these numbers show is that organic food has gone far beyond a niche market. There is a solid core group of food shoppers that are committed to the organic ideal and they're not willing to skimp at the expense of their health and the health of the planet." - Treehugger (1 Feb)
