Growth rates in organic food sales have been in the range of 20-25 percent per year for over a decad
The organic agriculture sector is currently the fastest growing food sector. Growth rates in organic food sales have been in the range of 20-25 percent per year for over a decade. Growth rates of organic lands are impressive in Europe, Latin America and the United States. The total area of organic land tripled in Europe and the United States between 1995 and 2000. In the last 5 years, in Argentina, the organic land area increased 1 280 percent. However, these reported percentage increases must be viewed in the context of the low absolute levels. Globally, certified organic agriculture occupies less than 1 percent of lands and 1-2 percent of food sales. In some cases, the growth may reflect the entry of land long farmed organically into a certification programme rather than an actual switch in farming systems.
“General concepts and issues in organic agriculture,” in Organic Agriculture, Environment and Food Security (Rome: FAO). http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/y4137e/y4137e01.htm.