Source:  Ann Bagel Storck, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 4/23/10

Organic meat, poultry and seafood posted 2009 sales of $456 million, a 1.9 percent increase over 2008 figures, according to the Organic Trade Association's 2010 Organic Industry Survey.

Organic poultry, which represents the largest part of that subcategory, has sales of $277 million, up 2.6 percent from 2008. Organic beef recorded $100 million in sales, a 1.5 percent jump from the previous year, while organic pork had $14 million in sales, down 4.3 percent.

Overall organic food sales were $24.8 billion, representing a 5.1 percent year-over-year growth rate, compared with 1.6 percent growth for total U.S. food sales in 2009, OTA reported.

Organic fruits and vegetables posted the highest sales growth rate, rising 11.4 percent from 2008, to nearly $9.5 billion in sales.

"These findings are indicative that even in tough times, consumers understand the benefits that organic products offer and will make other cuts before they give up products they value," OTA Executive Director Christine Bushway said in a news release.

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