Like their counterparts supplying the “conventional” milk market, the number of certified organic dairies are declining but increasing in size, according to the USDA’s latest Certified Organic Survey. Based on the 2021 survey, released Dec. 15, 2022, total certified organic dairy herds and cow numbers declined but milk volume and value increased from a similar survey in 2019.
Milk remains a strong component of the overall organic market, representing about 15% of all organic sales (based on value) in 2021. Organic milk sold during the year was just under 5.2 billion pounds, up about 74 million pounds (1.4%) from 2019. The value of organic milk sold was up nearly $47.5 million (3%) from 2019, to $1.632 billion.
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