Organics Experience Global Resurgence

NEW YORKAs the world struggles to overcome economic adversity, the majority of consumers have the desire to eat healthy foods and want to incorporate organic foods into their diets, according to a recent Nielsen Company global online poll of more than 27,000 consumers in 55 markets from Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East/Africa (Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and South Africa), North America and Latin America.

Data reveals 40% of survey respondents purchase organic products, particularly 47% of shoppers in Asia Pacific; 45% in Latin America; 43%r in Middle East/Africa/Pakistan; 35% in Europe; and 24% in North America.

Reasons cited for going organic included the belief that they are healthier, pesticide-free, more nutritious, environmentally-friendly, taste better, not genetically-modified (GMO), supportive of small farmers and rural communities, the right thing to do ethically, and a vote against modern farming methods.

Asia Pacific consumers said they buy organic because of the health and nutrition factors, while Middle East/Africa/Pakistan shoppers said organics taste better.

In North America healthy eating options hindered on expense and unwillingness to sacrifice taste. Environmental and social considerations also were driving factors, making it the region most likely to buy organics to avoid toxins (71%), promote environmentally-friendly organic farms (59%), help small farmers (58%), avoid genetically-modified products (45%), do the right thing (38%) and vote against modern farming methods (23%).

According to Nielsen, U.S. organic sales dropped significantly as a result of the economic downturn. In 2006, 2007 and into the third quarter of 2008, organics growth rates were strong, averaging between 18% and 30%+. After the September 15, 2008 financial crisis, growth rates for organics dropped dramatically. However, the last several periods have seen an upsurge with growth rates nearing 10% in the four-weeks ending July 2010.