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U.S. organic food sales reached $63.8 billion in 2023, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), which reported the figure in 2024. The broader U.S. organic marketplace—including non-food products—totaled $69.7 billion. OTA co-CEO Tom Chapman called organic a “maturing sector” while stressing that it still has room to grow; the phrase is his industry characterization, not a formal measure of market maturity.
What the near-$64 billion figure includes
The $63.8 billion figure covers U.S. organic food sales in 2023. OTA separately estimated $5.9 billion in organic non-food sales, bringing the total organic marketplace to $69.7 billion. That total was up 3.4% in dollar sales from 2022, according to OTA’s 2024 release on its survey of 2023 sales.
The distinction matters: “organic food sales” is not interchangeable with the entire organic marketplace. The broader figure includes non-food products such as fiber, personal care products, and supplements.
Where organic food sales were concentrated
OTA’s 2024 survey placed produce first among organic food categories, followed by grocery, beverages, and dairy and eggs. The amounts and growth rates below are U.S. sales reported for 2023.
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| Category | 2023 sales | Change from 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Produce | $20.5 billion | +2.6% |
| Grocery | $15.4 billion | +4.1% |
| Beverages | $9.4 billion | +3.9% |
| Dairy and eggs | $8.2 billion | +5.5% |
OTA said organic produce represented more than 15% of U.S. fruit and vegetable sales, while organic dairy and eggs represented more than 8% of their respective sales. Its grocery category in the 2024 report combined products previously grouped under breads and grains, condiments, and packaged and prepared foods; fresh produce was broken out separately. Because the category organization changed, comparisons with older category totals may not be like-for-like.
Other categories reported
- Organic baby food and formula generated $1.5 billion in 2023 sales, up nearly 11%.
- Within dairy, milk and cream sales were $4.2 billion; dairy alternatives approached $700 million.
- Outside food, organic personal care sales were $1.3 billion, up nearly 7%, and supplements reached $2.1 billion, up more than 4%.
- Organic fiber represented about $2.4 billion, or 40% of non-food sales, and was essentially flat year over year amid supply constraints.
Why sales growth does not necessarily mean more products were sold
The 3.4% increase in total organic marketplace sales is growth in dollars, not a measure of units sold. OTA said pricing contributed more to 2023 dollar growth than unit sales did. It reported unit sales increases for up to 40% of tracked products, so performance varied across products.
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OTA also said prices for many conventional products rose faster than organic prices, narrowing the price gap. That is the survey’s account of pricing conditions, not evidence that the smaller gap caused subsequent growth. A sales total can rise because prices increase, because more units are sold, or both.
What “maturing sector” means in this context
Chapman used “maturing sector” to describe organic’s place in the marketplace, while saying there was still room to grow. OTA reported that organic’s overall dollar growth was broadly in line with the total market, despite inflation and organic’s premium positioning. The wording should be read as an industry leader’s interpretation—not as a defined stage with a published threshold, or as a conclusion established by consumer polling.
The survey was conducted early in 2024 by Nutrition Business Journal on behalf of OTA. Its estimates drew on point-of-sale data, expert interviews, annual-report data, and direct survey responses; roughly 65 companies completed a significant portion of the in-depth survey. OTA notes that many organic businesses are privately held, which can limit the public financial data available for compiling market estimates.
What the USDA Organic label does—and does not—tell shoppers
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service describes organic as a labeling term for agricultural products made under approved production and handling methods. Compliance is verified by a USDA-accredited certifying agent. The label indicates that applicable standards were met; it is not a blanket guarantee of every health, environmental, or ethical attribute a shopper might associate with a product. See the USDA organic standards.
- Crops: Land must have had no prohibited substances applied for at least three years before harvest. Genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, and sewage sludge are prohibited. Producers primarily use management practices to control pests, weeds, and disease, with certain approved substances allowed when needed.
- Livestock: Standards cover animals raised for meat, milk, eggs, and other animal products, including organic feed, preventive health management, and outdoor access. Ruminants must graze for at least 120 days and obtain at least 30% of their dry matter intake from pasture.
- Multi-ingredient products: A product labeled “organic” must contain at least 95% certified organic ingredients. A product labeled “made with” organic must contain at least 70% and may not display the USDA organic seal.
Sources and scope
The sales estimates and category figures here are from OTA’s 2024 release on 2023 organic sales. They describe estimated U.S. sales for 2023, not current-year sales. OTA’s full report was available to its members, and category definitions were rearranged in the 2024 report to better reflect retail merchandising.
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