Introduction
The past decade has seen a sudden rise in the demand for organic food. The dynamic shift toward the organic world has not been sudden, but it is building awareness among people. Some call it celebrity influence, some say healthy lifestyle, and some believe it is a well-thought marketing strategy.
Food science is a creative field; after intensive research, the results favor organic food. Most of the organic food market is controlled by small-scale farmers, which ensures the products are authentic and fresh. Let's look at some of the variables that define the organic world.
What Defines Organic World?
Any food product labeled as organic indicates how the food is processed and grown. Organic food is grown without fertilizers, pesticides, or other genetic engineering techniques to harvest yield. It also includes organic proteins from eggs, meat and dairy products that are not produced by antibiotics or growth hormones.
Organic practices involve using renewable techniques from the ecosystem to yield by preserving soil fertility. In addition, processed organic food is produced by maintaining the integrity of the standards.
Organic practices include the use of manure, compost, and crop rotation. The methods are moderated according to the climate and soil conditions. The process keeps the soil healthy and resistant to pests and disease. The process also prevents soil erosion by keeping soil nutrients intact.
Current Scenario of the Organic Food Market
The market is flooded with organic products, including the skincare range. There are certified organic products, and there are pseudo-organic products. Many companies are looking to cash their sales by using the word organic. These companies are labeling their organic products even when they are not following the standards.
Some companies also try to confuse customers by referring to green norms. The packaging is eco-friendly, but the product is not organic. When buying organic food, check the certification label that confirms the product is genuinely organic.
The current organic food market includes organic poultry and meat, organic dairy products, organic fruits and vegetables, and organic processed food items. In addition, it also contains organic beverages, organic bakery items, and organic food grains. The products are segmented by retailers and sales channels to online stores and supermarkets. The organic food market is expected to grow to $ 430 billion by 2026 at 14 percent CAGR.
Widespread Adoption of Organic Food
Organic food is rapidly growing in demand among consumers across the globe. The main reason is attributed to health benefits and adopting sustainable farming practices. Choosing organic proteins in your diet reduces the consumption of toxins and synthetic chemicals. In addition, organic vegan food is also growing in demand.
Most people are switching to the organic world primarily for its health benefits. This change in mindset towards organic food will likely grow in the coming years. The fruit and vegetable sector of the organic market has witnessed the maximum surge. Research has shown that using fertilizers, pesticides, and synthetic growth hormones is one of the significant causes of cancer. Due to these dangers, people are consciously switching towards the organic world.
Another reason for eco-friendly farming practices is the rapid climate change. Farming contributes to 10 percent of global warming; organic farming practices can reduce carbon emissions due to agriculture by up to 50 percent. Optimizing farming practices with old-age methods is the best way to promote organic farming.
Most countries are giving subsidies to farmers producing yields with organic methods; it is a great way to promote eco-friendly means and create awareness towards an organic world. Organic agriculture attracts more extensive food-producing companies as it has enormous earning potential. In addition, agriculture research is looking for enhanced means to increase crop yield without using fertilizers, pesticides, and synthetic chemicals.
Minimally Processed Plant-based Products
Minimally processed plant-based food consists of vegetables, food grains, and fruits. In addition, it also consists of plant-based organic proteins, legumes, herbs, nuts, and seeds. However, minimally processed plant-based products exclude animal products, including dairy products. You get the best vegan proteins from minimally processed plant-based products.
Medical research shows numerous health benefits on cardiovascular health by consuming plant-based food. Doctors are recommending plant-based diets to patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases. In addition, shifting to the best vegan proteins keeps weight checked and has many health benefits.
A significant retail organic food industry segment is linked to minimally processed food. Changing market trends have given way to new technologies to preserve food and keep them microbiologically safe. Most of these technologies are based on modified atmospheric packaging, hurdle concepts, and using high hydrostatic pressure. In addition, a few variants also use essential oils as antimicrobials and antioxidants.
The production process of minimally processed plant-based food is complex since it requires maintaining the characteristics of the food. It keeps minimally processed food stable, even at room temperature or under refrigeration. The process also ensures the elimination of parasites and bacteria during processing and packaging.
Novel Innovation of Clean Label Ingredients and Plant Label Formulations
More and more consumers are now looking for innovation of clean and best vegan proteins. Consumers want authentic declarations in their organic food products that guarantee genuine a product. Initially, the clean labels only indicated the ingredients used in manufacturing the product. Knowing about the nutritional value, plant-based, and harvesting techniques is a well-accepted norm.
Creating a clean label for any product is not a simple process. It requires the entire product portfolio and a recognized agency to certify the product. Consumers expect organic food products to comply with the standards and the company's specifications. Most companies are now offering a trusted clean label for their products. It includes food manufacturers, grocery stores, food chain outlets, and restaurants. The number of clean labels in the organic food industry has doubled in the past five years.
Clean label is now becoming mainstream in many countries. The process of the clean label also makes these products a premium range which comes at a higher cost. Since the clean label is a consumer perception trend, it is complex to implement. Preferences and regulations for different countries also make the process more challenging.
Conclusion
The organic world is fast growing globally, with more and more people looking for organic products. Currently, 187 countries are involved in organic farming that, covers 72 million hectares of agricultural land. Global sales have exceeded $ 250 million in 2022. Organics international delivers a comprehensive review of the global organic world.
The food and cosmetic industries are also growing with demand for organic products. In Europe, most countries have the highest retail sales in the organic market. Increasing awareness of health and eco-friendly practices is a primary reason for the growth of the organic world. Apart from organic fruits and vegetables, the packaged food industry is also looking towards a dynamic organic shift. Dairy products and people looking for the best vegan products contribute towards a significant share.