As consumers continue eating at-home, May 2020 organic fresh produce sales topped $662 million, according to a press release regarding the report. Overall, organic sales in May increased year-over-year by 16.3% in dollars and 16.2% in volume. Conventional produce increased by 18% in dollars and 15.5% in volume.
“We continue to see the strength of organic fresh produce at retail and how consumers show no indications of shifting purchases away from organic fruit and vegetables,” said Matt Seeley, CEO of the Organic Produce Network, in the press release.
Related: Sales of Organic Produce, Private Label Up During COVID-19 Crisis COVID-19 Affects How Financially Insecure Families Shop Natural Product Sales Up Significantly in 2020, Both Pre-Pandemic and During
Bananas continue to be the dominant category for volume growth; the next two categories are carrots and apples. These categories, the press release, share a common trait: Retail prices for the organic versions are relatively close to the conventional versions.“Of the top 15 organic volume growth categories, nine were vegetables," said Steve Lutz, Senior Vice President, Insights and Innovation at Category Partners, in the press release. “Large volume increases in products like organic cauliflower, celery, herbs, mushrooms and broccoli continue to reflect a shift in consumer home food preparation habits since the beginning of the pandemic in March.”
The full report is availablehere.
