Organic farm sales up 72 percent since 2008

Sales of organic farm products increased by 72 percent from 2008 to 2014, according to the 2014 Organic Survey released last week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Daniel Enoch reports for Agri-Pulse. The survey shows that 14,093 certified organic farms in 2014 sold $5.5 billion in products, with California leading the way with $2.2 billion in sales, or 40 percent of all sales. Next were Washington ($515 million in organic sales), Pennsylvania ($313 million), Oregon ($237 million) and Wisconsin ($201 million).

The report also shows that there is plenty of room for growth, Enoch writes. "Approximately 5,300 organic producers, almost 40 percent, say they intend to increase organic production over the next five years. An additional 688 farms with no current organic production are in the process of transitioning into organic production."

Milk was the top commodity, accounting for $1.08 billion, followed by eggs ($420 million), broiler chickens ($372 million), lettuce ($264 million) and apples ($250 million), Enoch writes. "The report also showed that the vast majority of organic agricultural products sold in 2014 were sold close to the farm," with 80 percent of sales within 500 miles of the farm and 46 percent within 100 miles of the farm. (Read more) (USDA map)