SANTA CRUZ, Calif.—California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) reported an 8-percent growth in the number of certified operations and total certified organic acreage in 2009. The number of CCOF certified operations increased from 2,007 in 2008 to 2,168 in 2009, while the certified acreage grew from 558,137 to 603,545.
Fruit crops, especially raisin grape and citrus acreage, experienced substantial increases. In 2009, CCOF added 1,545 new certified organic raisin grape acres, an increase of 45.4 percent. Raisin acreage has risen 168 percent over the last four years. CCOF certified organic citrus acreage grew 39.2 percent. Organic berries also showed strong growth with certified acreage increasing 20 percent; certified organic acreage for berries increased 203 percent in the last four years.
Acreage for certified organic nuts increased from 18.8 percent in 2009; pistachio orchards led the way with 42-percent growth, while almonds increased 26 percent.
Some organic vegetable crop acreage grew while others declined. Organic garlic experienced 533-percent growth, while lettuce, carrots and processing tomatoes acreages declined.
CCOF certification of handler or food processor operations grew at 9 percent, a 50-percent higher growth rate than the grower segment. The organic beverages category is one of the largest; encompassing organic coffee, tea, dairy and wine. Chocolate and confections are two other key areas of growth. CCOF anticipates that the processed goods certification category will continue to expand, especially as large scale retailers begin to enter the market and with the introduction of private-label organic brands.
