International_EN

Very successful U.S. Pavilion at Biofach

International_EN North America

The American Organic Trade Association (OTA) together with theForeign Agricultural Service (FAS), Office of Agricultural Affairs in Berlin and U.S. organic food and product companies participated in the Biofach and reported a leap in business inquiries.

USA: Distribution moving towards online retailing

International_EN North America

Every large food retailer in North America and Europe is now marketing organic foods under their private labels. The next spurt of growth is envisaged to come from mobile apps linked to delivery services.

USA: The Organic Coup opens new location in Seattle

International_EN North America

The first USDA certified organic restaurant chain The Organic Coup will open another branch in Seattle’s Columbia Tower next month and a food truck is planned for the Microsoft campus.

USA: Senate introduces bill to promote organic agriculture

International_EN North America

For years the organic production in the USA has lagged behind because of the government subsidiesed the big food industry. But now a bill is introduced to the senat that could change the game.

USA: Campbell completed acquisition of Pacific Foods

International_EN North America

According to Campbell Soup Company (CPB) the acquisition of Pacific Foods of Oregon (Pacific Foods) for $700 million in cash, is now completed. This was announced last week.

USA: Natural Cosmetics Masterclass focuses on food ingredients

International_EN North America

Taking place in San Francisco on 1st February, this new Natural Cosmetics Masterclass will discuss the growing use of food ingredients in cosmetic & personal care products.

Walmart`s plans for 2018

International_EN North America

The world´s biggest retailer Walmart has some important tasks on its agenda for 2018. According to media reports Walmart plans to grow sales by 3 % and reinvest $ 11 billion. Most of the investment goes into e-commerce.

USA: Trader Joe´s 50th anniversary

International_EN North America

American retailer Trader Joe´s, a subsidiary of the German discounter Aldi Nord, has been in the US market for 50 years.

Canada: the state of organics

International_EN North America

The Canada Organic Trade Association’s (COTA) recently published "The State of Organics" - Federal-Provincial-Territorial Performance Report 2017. The report provides a comprehensive facts about the current level of development of the organic sector in each province.

Amazon: more sale at Whole Foods Stores

International_EN North America

Amazon has started to sell tech products and gifts at selected Whole Foods Market stores. The online giant has also announced additional discounts on Whole Foods prices to members of its Prime membership service.

BIOFACH America 2017 in Baltimore: Closing Report

International_EN North America

Parallel to the Natural Products Expo, the BIOFACH America – All Things Organic took place from 14^th to 16^th September 2017 in the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, USA. As the organisers report, more than 1,500 organic exhibitors, among them 196 fully organic, and over 29,000 visitors came to the exhibition to exchange trends, information about new products and to learn more about the organic sector.

USA: prohibition of aquaponics in organic food production rejected by NOSB

International_EN North America

At a meeting on the 1^st November 2017, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) rejected the proposal to ban hydroponic and aquaponic production methods under the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program.

USA: Sustainable Foods Summit in San Francisco

International_EN North America

From 30^th- 31^st January 2018, the North American edition of the Sustainable Foods Summit will be held in San Francisco, USA. Central topics of the eighth Summit in North America will be health impacts, sustainable ingredients as well as organic and eco labels.

Ecover and Method acquired by S.C Johnson

International_EN North America

The US corporation SC Johnson & sons, one of the world's leading manufacturers of household cleaning products, signed an agreement to acquire the biobased cleaning products companies Ecover and Method.

Continuing success of international natural cosmetics markets

International_EN North America

Not only in Germany but on the international stage too the trend in the natural and organic cosmetics industry continues to be very positive development. In the leading market in Europe, the German market, demand shows no sign of slowing. According to Naturkosmetik Verlag, about nine million consumers buy natural cosmetics several times a year and their purchasing behaviour caused turnover in the first half of this year to grow by around two percent.  The “Green & Clean” trend is to be seen everywhere in neighbouring countries with robust market development and also internationally. However, manufacturers and the trade are having to confront a number of challenges.

(Photo: Karin Heinze)

Poison Papers Project: how US-chemical concerns obscured hazardous chemicals

International_EN North America

The “Poison Papers”, a project by The Bioscience Resource Project and The Center for Media and Democracy, represent over 20,000 rediscovered chemical industry and regulatory agency documents as well as correspondence dating back to the 1920s.

US / EU: Soilless cultivation - organic or not?

International_EN North America

The discussion basically concerns the possibility to grow organic products not in the soil but in substrates. In the USA this has not been regulated until now. It is not explicitly forbidden. And in the regulatory void hydroponic companies were certified organic. 

USA: Organic Agriculture Research Act gained support

International_EN North America

The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF), a non-profit foundation, reports a big success. The Organic Agriculture Research Act (H.R. 2436) gained crucial bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress recently.

US-certified organic agricultural production sales increased by 23% in 2016

International_EN North America

According to data published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), organic agricultural production sales continued to rise in 2016, as US farms produced and sold certified organic goods worth $7.6 bn.

US: new food label beyond organic coming soon

International_EN North America

On 13^th September 2017, the Rodale Institute presented draft standards for a product certification considering organic standards as well as regeneration of resources.

US: higher sales of natural and organic personal care products in 2016

International_EN North America

In May 2016, the Global Cosmetic Industry Magazine reported that the US-market for natural and organic personal care products, including cosmetics, skin and hair care and many other products, reached $5.7 bn in 2016. Hence, the market increased by 9.2% over the previous year. According to Naira Aslanian of Kline Group, who produced the study, the main reason for this growth is the customers’ expanding interest in wellness including nutrition as well as self-care.

Canada: 10% increase in organic sales

International_EN North America

Canadian Organic Trade Association (COTA) reports that 66% Canadian consumers spend at least some of their weekly grocery budget on organic items. This is a 10% increase from a year ago.

USA: distributor UNFI grows and is excited about Amazon-Whole Foods

International_EN North America

United Natural Foods Inc (UNFI) gets the commitment of Amazon and Whole Foods for their contracts till 2025. One of the biggest US-distributors reports about an increase of  9.5% in the fiscal year, which ended July 29.

OTA: change-makers honored at the Annual Organic Leadership Awards

International_EN North America

Last Wednesday, the Organic Trade Association held the Annual Organic Leadership Awards Celebration at the American Visionary Arts Museum.

Today’s Millennial - tomorrow’s organic parent

International_EN North America

Millennial parents use digital sources of information to learn about new products – online product reviews, blog posts and mobile apps - more frequently than older parents who prefer traditional information sources.