Axios reports on a new study from the Organic Trade Association (OTA) suggesting that "the price gap between organic and conventional foods is shrinking."
The study found that "private-label organic items were 14.7% more expensive than regular food in January, down from 22.7% in April … The shrinking price gap is particularly noticeable in produce. Organic apples cost 33 cents more per pound in January, down from 43 cents a year earlier. And organic tomatoes cost 10 cents more, down from 23 cents more."
Some context from the piece:
"Organic food has historically been harder to afford than regular items, putting it largely out of reach of many lower-income shoppers. But big-box grocers like Walmart and Kroger are making organic options more accessible with private-label goods … Organic food is no longer exclusive to the shelves of stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's - and that means it’s no longer commanding the same price premium as it once did."
However, Axios writes, "The prices of some organic products have jumped in recent months. The price gap between brand-name organic items and regular food increased month-over-month in December and January, according to DataWeave."
And, Axios concludes, "Although debate continues about the value of organic items, the Mayo Clinic reports that there's 'a growing body of evidence that shows some potential health benefits of organic foods when compared with conventionally grown foods,' including more nutrients and less exposure to pesticides."
