Subject: [permaculture] 2008 Organic Coffee Market Tops $1.3 Billion in North America
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:36:08 -0400
2008 Organic Coffee Market Tops $1.3 Billion in North America, New Data
Shows
Consumers continue to support organic, farmer-friendly agriculture
New York, NY (Vocus/PRWEB ) July 21, 2009 -- The North American organic
coffee market topped 1.3 billion dollars in 2008, making it the single
most valuable organic product imported into North America, according to
new data released today by coffee market analyst Daniele Giovannucci at
a sampling event featuring delicious new crop organic coffees from
leading U.S. roasters. The event was hosted by the Organic Coffee
Collaboration, a project of the Organic Trade Association (OTA), at New
York City's Union Square Cafe.
The ten participants in the Collaboration are Caffe Ibis (Logan, UT),
Chiapas Farms (Austin, TX), Crimson Cup (Columbus, OH), Elan Organic
Coffee (San Diego, CA), Equator Estate Coffees and Teas (San Rafael,
CA), Green Mountain Coffee (Waterbury, VT), Maximus Coffee Group
(Houston, TX), S&D Coffee (Concord, NC), Swiss Water Decaffeinated
Coffee Company (Burnaby, BC, Canada), and True Origin Organics (Weston,
FL and Bogotá, Colombia). These participants represent some of the
newest companies on the market as well as well known firms that source,
decaffeinate, or roast for the largest companies in the United States.
According to The North American Organic Coffee Industry Survey 2009 by
Giovannucci (with support from the Specialty Coffee Association of
America), approximately 89 million pounds of organic coffee were
imported into the United States and Canada in 2008, a 12 percent
increase from 2007, with most of the sales taking place in the U.S. The
29 percent annual average growth rate for the organic category
documented by Giovannucci between 2000 and 2008 dwarfs the estimated 1.5
percent projected annual growth rate of the conventional coffee
industry. The survey is available from the Organic Trade Association.
"Consumers have spoken loud and clear," said Christine Bushway, OTA
executive director. "Consumers choose to support organic agriculture
even when times get tough."
Giovannucci agrees. "Consumers are being more selective and increasingly
moving toward products they perceive to provide real and lasting value,
both personal and to the environment."
Union Square Cafe, which has earned Zagat Survey's #1 ranking as New
York's Most Popular Restaurant for an unprecedented eight years, is one
of the many restaurants and other food establishments across the U.S.
offering organic coffees to their discriminating clientele.
Background:
Organic coffee is grown using methods and materials that have a low
impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and
maintain soil fertility, avoid the use of toxic and persistent
pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture.
Third-party certification organizations verify that organic farmers use
only methods and materials allowed in organic production.
The Organic Coffee Collaboration - a project of the Organic Trade
Association, the business association for the North American organic
industry, includes:
CAFFE IBIS (Logan, UT) - An award-winning "green business," Caffe Ibis
is a custom coffee roasting house featuring triple certified--organic,
Fair Trade, and Smithsonian Shade Grown "Bird-Friendly®"- coffees,
mountain grown, mountain roasted. Caffe Ibis® also operates a celebrated
gallery/deli-licious espresso bar. University franchise, private label,
equipment programs, monthly specials, and consulting services are available.
CHIAPAS FARMS (Austin, TX) - Chiapas Farms specializes in superior fair
trade foods. Its Café de Chiapas coffee is from an organic/fair trade
cooperative in the Chiapas, Mexico highlands. The coffee has a nutty and
buttery taste with a smooth, slightly sweet finish. The product is
offered in dark and medium roast and available online.
CRIMSON CUP (Columbus, OH) - Since 1991, Crimson Cup® Coffee & Tea has
roasted and packaged great-tasting coffee in Columbus, Ohio. Led by
Harvard "Crimson" graduate Greg Ubert, Crimson Cup offers a full line of
certified organic Fair Trade coffee and teas to over 350 coffee houses,
colleges and universities and grocers throughout 26 states.
ELAN ORGANIC COFFEES (San Diego, CA) - Elan Organic Coffees is a coffee
developer and importer offering certified organic socially responsible
and Bird Friendly® coffees it has developed through partnerships with
village co-ops in coffee-producing countries. Elan has pioneered the
supply of the world's finest certified organic coffees, while supporting
farmers and protecting the environment.
EQUATOR ESTATE COFFEES & TEAS (San Rafael, CA) - Equator is known for
its distinctive specialty coffees, socially responsible sourcing, and
longstanding relationships with prominent chefs and national retailers
who are passionate about quality. The women-owned company procures
exceptional certified organic coffees from farmers who practice
environmental stewardship, resulting in an empowered supply chain from
crop to cup.
GREEN MOUNTAIN COFFEE (Waterbury, VT) - Green Mountain Coffee is
recognized as a leader in the specialty coffee industry for its
award-winning coffees and socially and environmentally responsible
business practices. Green Mountain Coffee offers a broad selection of
double-certified organic and Fair Trade coffees under the Green Mountain
Coffee® and Newman's Own® Organics brands.
MAXIMUS COFFEE GROUP (Houston, TX) - Maximus Coffee Group's carbon
dioxide (CO2) / triple-filtered water decaffeination process is the only
decaffeination plant in the U.S. that supplies coffee that is both
naturally decaffeinated and USDA Organic certified. It is an EPA Green
Power Partner with one-third of its energy coming from alternative sources.
ORGANIC TRADE ASSOCIATION (Greenfield, MA) - OTA's mission is to promote
and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment,
farmers, the public and the economy. OTA's members include farmers,
processors, importers, distributors, retailers, certifiers, and more.
S&D COFFEE (Concord, NC) - S&D is the second largest coffee roaster in
the United States supplying both conventional and organic coffees. The
company feels strongly about fostering sustainable agriculture and
promoting a healthy planet. Quality Assurance International (QAI)
certifies S&D's six organic coffees sold under the Buffalo & Spring label.
SWISS WATER DECAFFEINATED COFFEE COMPANY (Burnaby, BC, Canada) - A
wholesome process for decaffeinating coffee - pure water, 100% chemical
free - ensures the best of the bean remains, while only caffeine is
removed. Swiss Water decaffeinates organic coffees for premium roasters.
Look for the SWISS WATER® seal on packs or in stores to guarantee
remarkable tasting 99.9% caffeine-free coffee.
TRUE ORIGIN ORGANICS (Weston, FL and Bogotá, Colombia) - True Origin
Organics premium Colombian coffee hails from the magnificent Santa Marta
and Tierradentro valleys. Like fine wine, our coffee has one true
origin. It is harvested, roasted and packed right where it grows. True
Origins Organics is available at East Coast specialty and natural stores
and mid-Atlantic Whole Foods Markets.