USDA/ERS report

Price premiums hold on as the U.S. organic produce market expands
Lydia Oberholtzer, Carolyn Dimitri, and Catherine Greene

ABSTRACT

Fresh fruits and vegetables have long been an important component of the organic food sector. Price premiums for organic products have contributed to growth in certified organic farmland and, ultimately, market expansion.
This report examines trends in organic prices and market margins for broccoli, carrots, and mesclun mix. The data show that, while organic wholesale price premiums for mesclun mix are narrowing, wholesale and farmgate
premiums for broccoli and carrots remain strong.
Note: A web data product with monthly organic farmgate and wholesale prices for broccoli, carrots and mesclun mix is available at www.ers.usda.gov/data/OrganicPrices.

Complete report in PDF format: http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/vgs/may05/VGS30801/VGS30801.pdf

RELATED LINKS

Organic Farming and Marketing Briefing Room—U.S. producers are turning to certified organic farming systems as a potential way to lower input costs, decrease reliance on nonrenewable resources, capture high-value markets and premium prices, and boost farm income.

Organic Production Data Product—Information on organic operations and acreage for crops and livestock for 1992-2001