After a decade of solid double-digit growth, U.S. sales of organic foods and beverages slowed considerably in 2008—proving once and for all that the organic industry is not immune to recessionary woes. This was a main finding of Nutrition Business Journal’s 2009 Organic Foods and Beverages issue, which publishes this month. According to NBJ research, U.S. sales of organic foods and beverages grew 12% to $21.1 billion in 2008, down from 16.9% growth in 2007. Still, compared to many other consumer-focused sectors of the U.S. economy, the U.S. organic industry fared quite well last year. This year, on the other hand, is expected to be a difficult year for many organic companies.

“2009 will likely be an unprecedented year for the organic industry, and NBJ’s 2009 Organic Foods and Beverages issue is an essential tool for any executive who wants an in-depth understanding of how the organic market is faring today and what the opportunities and challenges will be this year,” said NBJ Editor Carlotta Mast.

NBJ’s Organic Foods and Beverages issue provides in-depth analysis of 2008 sales and growth estimates by food and beverage product categories across six sales channels, and sales forecasts through 2013.

This issue also includes an overview of how organic products are faring compared to their conventional counterparts in the current economy; discussion of which categories are being affected the most and which are holding strong; a review of the private-label organic market, and how its growth is affecting retailers, branded manufacturers and the organic industry overall; discussion of the U.S. battle against GMOs and the increased threat genetically engineered crops pose to organic seeds; and much more.

$21.1 Billion U.S. Organic Food and Beverage Sales by Product Category in 2008 Companies interviewed for and discussed in this issue include:
• Annie’s Inc.
• WhiteWave Organic Foods
• SunOpta Inc.
• Eden Foods
• Applied Food Sciences
• Safeway (O Organics)
• Sunflower Farmers Markets
• Late July Organic Snacks
• SunRidge Farms
• Lundberg Family Farms
• New Belgium Brewery
• And many more

About NBJ
Nutrition Business Journal is an executive journal for decision-makers in the natural, nutrition and complementary and alternative health industries. NBJ's exclusive research and editorial focus on the strategic issues of the nutrition industry has made it a leading business intelligence resource for subscribers since 1996. To purchase detailed market research reports, subscribe to NBJ or sign up for the NBJ's free weekly e-newsletter, please visit www.nutritionbusinessjournal.com. NBJ also hosts the NBJ Summit, an invitation-only retreat for C-level executives in the nutrition industry each July. For more information, visit www.nbjsummit.com.

About New Hope Natural Media
New Hope Natural Media (www.newhope.com), a division of the Penton Media, Inc., is the leading media resource and information provider for the natural, organic and healthy products industry with print, in-person/event, and e-business products and services. Penton Media, Inc. is the largest independent business-to-business media company in the U.S., serving more than six million business professionals every month. The company’s market-leading brands are focused on 30 industries and include 113 trade magazines, 145 Web sites, 150 industry trade shows and conferences, and more than 500 information data products. Headquartered in New York City, the privately held company is owned by MidOcean Partners and U.S. Equity Partners II, an investment fund sponsored by Wasserstein & Co., LP, and its coinvestors. For additional information on the company and its businesses, visit www.penton.com.