What state and products lead in organic production? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) this month released the results of the 2021 Organic Survey. The survey showed total sales of $11.2 billion in organic products, which is an increase of $1.28 billion, or 13%, from 2019. There were 17,445 certified organic farms, a 5% increase from 2019. California continued to lead the nation in certified organic sales with $3.55 billion, which is 32% of the U.S. total. It also led all states with 3,061 certified farms and 813,710 certified acres. Washington ($1.14 billion), Pennsylvania ($1.09 billion), Texas ($572 million), and Oregon ($386 million) round out the top five states for value of organic sales.
“The continual rise in interest for updated organics data is consistent with the growth of this important sector,” said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. “These comprehensive and essential, national- and state-level data are critical for producers, businesses and policymakers in determining growth and trends in the organic industry.”
The top sectors and commodities in value of sales in 2021 were:
- Livestock and poultry products: $2.86 billion, up 15%
Milk: $1.63 billion, up 3% - Vegetables: $1.91 billion, down 8%
Lettuce: $276 million, down 31% - Fruits, tree nuts, and berries: $2.2 billion, up 9%
Apples: $629 million, up 32% - Livestock and Poultry: $2.20 billion, up 32%
Broiler chickens: $1.51 billion, up 35% - Field Crops: $1.50 billion, up 27%
Corn for grain: $424 million, up 53%
Other top organic commodities with the greatest gains in value of sales from 2019 were soybeans (122%), blackberries (42%), eggs (38%), onions (24%), and broccoli (24%).
Marketing practices in the certified organic farming sector showed that $2.02 billion in organic products were sold directly to retail markets, institutions, and local/regional food hubs. Another $310 million in organic products were sold directly to consumers at farmers markets, on-farm stores and stands, roadside stands or stores, pick-your-own operations, community-supported agriculture farms, and online markets. The value of processed or value-added products such as jam, wine, cheese, and meat, accounted for $707 million.
Listen to Sabrina Halvorson’s This Land Of Ours program here.
Sabrina Halvorson
National Correspondent / AgNet Media, Inc.
Sabrina Halvorson is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and public speaker who specializes in agriculture. She primarily reports on legislative issues and hosts The AgNet Weekly podcast. Sabrina is a native of California’s agriculture-rich Central Valley.