The main reason organic produce appeals to consumers is that it promises safety. We can debate how reality and perceptions differ. But the core message that organic produce will not harm either humans or the environment is its main selling point to shoppers.

In 2020, that message really resonates. Amid the chaos and stress this year generated, food is a refuge. And organic food is a comfort.

So far, organic produce sales and the crop volume has grown by double digits year over year.Organic Produce Network, working with Category Partners report organic 2020 Q2 sales in the West grew by a whopping 25% over 2019, and volume grew by 23%. Even in the countrys weakest organic region, the Midwest, year-over-year sales grew by 12% and volume by 13%.

Logistically, that makes sense, since retail sales the biggest organic produce sector are surging during ongoing partial lockdowns. But Im guessing that safety message drives some of those sales, too.

When you look at the daily fresh produce year-over-year sales (which includes all produce, not just organic), they are up significantly. But theyre not reaching the same heights as organic produce on its own.

Will this trend last? Continue reading at GrowingProduce.com.

Carol Miller is the former editor of Greenhouse Grower Retailing and is current editor of American Vegetable Grower. You can eMail her at [emailprotected] See all author stories here.

Read more from the original source:

Organic Produce Is Booming Right Now! Heres Why - Greenhouse Grower