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The Organic Trade Association (OTA) recently conducted a survey of manufacturers, distributors and retailers about the organic industry. Results indicated that U.S. sales of organic products, including food and non-food, have grown from 1 billion in 1990 to a staggering 31.5 billion in 2011. Organic food sales alone rose 9.4%, totaling $29.2 billion while organic non-food sales rose 11%, totaling nearly $2.2 billion.

In 2010 the United States surpassed the European Union (EU) to become the largest market for organic products in the world, followed by Germany and France (The World of Organic Agriculture 2012). The United States now has organic trade agreements with Canada, EU and Japan.

Another study, Package Facts, showed that 87% of consumers around the world believe that non-GMO foods are “somewhat” or “a lot” healthier. According to this report, the global food and beverage market has seen strong growth of non-GMO products reaching $550 billion in 2014 and predict that it will nearly double by 2019, with the U.S. making up almost one-third of the global non-GMO food and beverage market. Of the 2,000 consumers surveyed, 43% believe that non-GMO foods are more nutritious, while 42% believe GMO crops are not safe for the environment.

Global trends in healthy eating are clearly on the rise. Consumers are demanding greater transparency and natural ingredients in their products. Obesity is a long-standing global issue and as consumers choose a healthier path they become more aware of their eating habits, learning to read and understand food nutrition labels.

Market research shows evidence of a growing awareness in health benefits associated with a plant-based diet, alternatives to processed sugar, eco-friendly products, sustainability, animal welfare, environmental concerns and food choices among consumers. It is these combined factors that are driving consumers back to basics and their demand for simplicity and transparency.

Evolving consumer concerns “give tremendous opportunity for food manufacturers and retailers to lead a healthy movement by providing the products and services that consumers want and need,” (Nielsen’s 2015 We Are What We Eat). “While diet fads come and go over time, innovative back-to-basics foods which taste good, are easy to prepare and provide healthful benefits will have staying power. The first step is knowing where to put your product development efforts.”

According to the Nielsen report, global respondents rated the following as important health attributes: fresh, natural and minimally processed foods without genetically modified ingredients (GMOs) 43%; the absence of artificial colors (42%) and flavors (41%) and foods from vegetables/fruits (40%). In their quest for better health, consumers look for functional foods with health-promoting benefits that can reduce their risk of disease.

Manufacturers and retailers are being driven by consumers to supply the demand to meet many growing trends including sustainable, organic, non-GMO, gluten free, sugar free, transparent, clean label, plant-based functional food and beverage.

Responding to these demands and in celebration of Earth Day, NP Nutra^® launched Nutra Organics in 2011. This continually expanding range of Certified Organic ingredients includes popular favorites like Açai, Amla, Cocoa, Lucuma, Mangosteen, Noni, Pomegranate, Spirulina, and Yacon. The most recent additions to this line include Freeze-dried Sea Buckthorn Powder and many more Organic ingredients are planned for the near future.

At NP Nutra^® we pride ourselves on supplying hard-to-find organic ingredients such as our organic Papaya powder which is one of the only existing organic sources on the market.

Our commitment to the environment and to customers is to research and source only the best quality wholesale ingredients for the functional food and beverage, dietary supplement and cosmetic industries. Our goal is always to source products from growers who follow sustainable farming practices and preserve the environment, reducing the amount of pesticides and other contaminants.

Click here for more information and to see our complete range of the Nutra Organics product line.