US organic produce sales hit US$21.5B in 2024, berries lead growth
Tropical fruits, including mangoes, kiwi, and pineapples, continued to build market momentum alongside new apple varieties.
UNITED STATES – Certified organic product sales reached a record US$71.6 billion in 2024, with fresh produce maintaining its position as the top-selling category at US$21.5 billion, accounting for 30.1% of total organic food sales, according to the Organic Trade Association’s 2025 Organic Market Report.
Organic produce grew 5.2% year-on-year, more than double the 2.5% growth rate of the overall food marketplace. Berries led the category with a 10.3% sales increase, while bananas posted a robust 15.5% rise.
On the other hand, Tropical fruits, including mangoes, kiwi, and pineapples, continued to build market momentum alongside new apple varieties.
For Middle Eastern markets, the US organic boom signals growing global consumer appetite for premium produce. In addition, Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Africa already supply conventional fruit to Middle Eastern markets; expanding organic certified acreage would allow them to capture higher-value segments of this growing demand.
The narrowing price gap between organic and conventional products presents particular investment opportunities. To begin with, the OTA report noted that price differentials decreased in 2024, especially in grocery and dairy categories, making organic options more accessible to price-sensitive shoppers and driving increased purchases across mainstream retail channels.
For investors, this trend suggests that organic produce is transitioning from niche to mainstream, supporting investments in certified production, processing, and distribution infrastructure.
Organic produce serves as the entry point for many consumers exploring the organic market. This pattern has implications for African agricultural exporters. Whereby, as global organic demand rises, countries that invest in certification infrastructure, farmer training, and traceability systems can position themselves as preferred suppliers to Europe, the Middle East, and increasingly Asia.
The report attributed organic growth to consumers seeking cleaner ingredients and healthier food options. For food industry stakeholders across the Middle East and Africa, the US data confirms that organic produce is not a passing trend but a structural shift in consumer behaviour.
Investors who support organic conversion programs, cold-chain infrastructure for certified produce, and market-access partnerships will be well positioned to capture value from this expanding global market segment.
Finally, as organic options become more accessible through narrowing price gaps, the addressable consumer base widens, creating sustained momentum for organic produce across international markets.
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