According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. organic sector continues to see record growth. There are currently 21,781 certified organic operations in the U.S., and 31,160 around the world. Data released by the Agricultural Marketing Service’s National Organic Program shows the number of domestic certified organic operations increased by almost 12 percent between 2014 and 2015. This represents the highest growth rate since 2008 and an increase of nearly 300 percent since the count began in 2002.
In terms of retail, organic products are now valued at more than $39 billion in the U.S. and more than $75 billion worldwide. U.S. local food sales totaled at least $12 billion in 2014, up from $5 billion in 2008.