Market for Organic Foods and Beverages Growing By Nearly 20% Annually Monday November 22, 9:41 am ET New report forecasts sales of $32.3 billion by 2009

NEW YORK, Nov. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The market for organic foods and beverages continues to grow at a rapid pace and is expected to generate sales of $32.3 billion by 2009, according to "The U.S. Market for Organic Foods and Beverages," a new report from market research publisher Packaged Facts. Overall, the organic industry has been experiencing annual growth between 17 and 22 percent over the past few years, compared to just 2 to 3 percent growth in the conventional food industry. The mass-marketing of organic foods in supermarkets - which accounted for 37 percent of organic sales in 2003 -- and expansion by mainstream food companies into the organic market are spurring more growth. Today's organic food market bears little resemblance to its roots in small natural foods stores and co-ops. Organic products now are marketed nationwide in the major supermarkets, even Wal-Mart, and are available in almost every category of food and beverage.

"Organic foods and beverages have come of age," said Don Montuori, Acquisitions Editor for Packaged Facts. "Many of the obstacles to wider market penetration - price, quality, distribution -- are starting to breakdown, and with the full implementation of the national organic standard, consumers are starting to recognize, seek and find organic products."

"The U.S. Market for Organic Foods and Beverages" is written by organic industry expert Elaine Lipson, a noted journalist and columnist in the industry. It presents the latest on market size and shares, consumer preferences, marketing strategy, competitor profiles, and regulatory issues. Market projections are made through 2009.

Priced at $3000, this report can be purchased directly from Packaged Facts by clicking http://www.packagedfacts.com/pub/977845.html . It is also available at MarketResearch.com.

About Packaged Facts

Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes research reports on a wide range of consumer industries, including consumer goods and retailing, foods and beverages, and demographics. For more information visit http://www.PackagedFacts.com, or contact Matthew E. Seward at 301-468-3650 x205, or mseward@marketresearch.com.

About the Author

Elaine Lipson specializes in consumer education on organic foods. Her articles have appeared in Delicious Living, Natural Foods Merchandiser, Organic Valley's Rootstock, and other publications. Ms. Lipson writes a quarterly column on organics for Natural Grocery Buyer and is the author of The Organic Foods Sourcebook (McGraw-Hill Contemporary, 2001).

Immediate Release

Contact:

Matthew E. Seward

MarketResearch.com

301.468.3650 x205

mseward@marketresearch.com