MONTEREY, CA - Very useful data has been made available to our industry with the help of the Organic Produce Network (OPN). Releasing its State of Organic Produce 2022 report, OPN has unveiled vital insights on the organic sector and the performance of several staple categories.

The 72-page report was developed to provide an overall view of organic produce retail performance in 2022 as well as specific insights into the top 20 organic produce categories, the organization noted. According to the report, while total organic produce sales increased by 3 percent and volume decreased by 3.7 percent year over year, the performance of the top 20 categories was quite variable as inflation and other pressures created a dynamic market environment.

The report shows that the top performers in terms of year-over-year (YOY) sales increases were onions (15.4 percent), cucumbers (11.3 percent), and potatoes (10.7 percent), while the worst performers were lettuce (−3.1 percent), celery (−2.3 percent), and bell peppers (−2.1 percent). In terms of volume, the top performing organic commodities year over year were grapes (6.9 percent), herbs and spices (6.5 percent), and cucumbers (2.7 percent), while the weakest were lettuce (−12.7 percent), avocados (−11.4 percent), and apples (−10.3 percent). Each of the three bottom year-over-year volume performers had significant contributing factors beyond inflation, such as weather conditions, viruses, and supply.

The fresh herbs and spices and table grape categories both posted YOY increases in sales and volume. Organic herbs and spices showed gains of 4.1 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively, and organic grapes showed respective gains of 8.3 percent and 6.9 percent. Organic bananas also had a very welcome gain in their price premium over conventional bananas, jumping from 25 percent in 2021 to 32 percent in 2022.

Berries took the lead in total retail sales in 2022, beating out packaged salads ever so slightly with $1.561 billion in sales.

The release also noted that packaged salads also had similar results across all four regions, declining in volume by mid-single digits and increasing in sales by low single digits, closely reflecting the performance of the overall organic produce category.

To access the State of Organic Produce 2022 report in its entirety, click here.

ANUK will continue to report on the organic sector and beyond, so stay tuned.

Organic Produce Network