Organic products continue to gain popularity among consumers, with projections for even further growth in the future. According to data from Nielsen, sales of organic foods, beverages and other consumer goods rose to more than $21 billion during the 52-week period ending November 24, 2018.
“Gone are the days when organic products catered to a singular or specific audience. Today, organics have hit the mainstream. Not only are organic products boosting our industry’s top-line, they are being purchased more by all generational and age cohorts,” the Nielsen study said.
The $21 billion total represents a nine percent increase in dollar sales and an eight percent increase in units sold when compared to 2017. Packaged salads, carrots and fresh apples were among the top performers for organic produce combining for sales of nearly $1.8 billion. Organic products that experienced the most growth in 2018 included kombucha, sandwich bread and fresh chicken.
The most substantial driver of the increase was millennial spending, which increased another 14 percent compare to the year prior. Although not as substantial, even Baby Boomers ended up increasing their purchases of organic products by 1.5 percent. “Today, organics have hit the mainstream. Not only are organic products boosting our industry’s top-line, they are being purchased more by all generational and age cohorts,” the Nielsen study said. “Organic appears to be an age-old growth driver that’s here to stay.”
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