Emerging Issues in the U.S. Organic Industry

Read this new report from the USDA which includes details on the new incentives for farmers to transition to organic practices.
The abstract:
Consumer demand for organic products has widened over the last decade. While new producers have emerged to help meet demand, market participants report that a supply squeeze is constraining growth for both individual firms and the organic sector overall. Partly in response to shortages in organic supply, Congress in 2008 included provisions in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act (2008 Farm Act) that, for the first time, provide direct financial support to farmers to convert to organic production. This report examines recent economic research on the adoption of organic farming systems, organic production costs and returns, and market conditions to gain a better understanding of the organic supply squeeze and other emerging issues in this rapidly changing industry.

Click here for links to the entire report >>>

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hopefully, this will not lessen the restrictions....
Anonymous said…
I'm sure the restrictions are constantly being challenged by big ag - it's amazing that organic means anything at this point.