Statistics on Organic Agriculture
Washington Ag Statistics
The CSANR has been compiling statistics to characterize the organic agriculture sector in Washington State. Data are primarily drawn from the Washington State Dept. of Agriculture (WSDA) Organic Food Program databases. The organic tree fruit trends reports have solicited information from other US certifiers as well as those in other countries. Currently, the National Agricultural Statistics Service does not collect separate information regarding organic farms.
NEW! Current Status of Global Organic Temperate Fruit. Presentation given at the International Organic Fruit Conference in Vignola, Italy, June 19-17, 2008. Co-sponsored by ISHS and IFOAM. The presentation covers consumer market trends, fruit production trends, and economics. The conference included over 40 presentations on plant protection, plant nutrition and soils, post harvest, and economics. These will be published in Acta Horticulturae in the next year.
2007 Data
Profile of organic crops in Washington State – 2007. June 2008. A comprehensive report (PDF) on organic crop production in the state, including acreage totals by crop and county, and farmgate sales by county.
Organic Agriculture in Washington State. June 2008. Graphical presentation of 2007 data for the organic sector in the state. Powerpoint presentation.
Organic Tree Fruit Trends - 2007. January 2008. A summary of organic tree fruit focusing on apple, pear, and cherry. Covers Washington State, some national trends, and international data from various countries.
Organic dairy estimate for Washington State - 2007.
| Certified | Transition | |
| # of dairies | 45 | 6 |
| # milkers/dry cows | 7,287 | 560 |
| Herd size range | 12-975 | 4-180 |
Data source: WSDA (11/07) and OTCO (12/07)
Certified Organic Production: The experiences and perspectives of Washington Farmers. July 2008. A report on a 2007 statewide survery of organic producers done by Dr. Jessica Goldberger, WSU Community and Rural Sociology. CRS Information Series No. 1-08, Pullman, WA.
Organic Tree Fruit Trends. December 2007. Preliminary data for Washington State and updated international data. Powerpoint presentation.
Gender and Certified Organic Production in Washington State. Today, women make up a growing proportion of principle farm operators, especially in “alternative” agriculture. Understanding the experiences and perspectives of female and male farmers will help land-grant universities and other service providers better serve the needs of all organic producers.
2006 Data
Profile of Organic Crops and Livestock in Washington State – 2006. A comprehensive report (PDF) with all the available statistics for organic production in the state.
Washington State organic profile – 2006. An overview of organic agriculture statistics for the state, including acres and farms by county, farmgate sales by county, crop breakdown, livestock and organic tree fruit trends. A Powerpoint presentation in PDF format.
Organic Feed for Washington State – March 2007. A powerpoint presentation ((PDF) from recent workshops on the shortage of organic feed in the state and region.
Organic Tree Fruit trends report - March 2007. A comprehensive report (PDF) on acreage trends and prices for Washington organic apples, pears, and cherries, as well as some national and global data.
Organic Tree Fruit Trends – February 2007. A powerpoint presentation (as PDF) on the most recent trends in organic tree fruit acreage and prices, with an emphasis on Washington State.
2005 Data
Washington State Organic Acres, by crop – 2005 (a PDF document)
Washington State organic profile – 2005. An overview of organic agriculture statistics for the state, including acres and farms by county, farmgate sales by county, crop breakdown, livestock and organic tree fruit trends. A Powerpoint presentation in PDF format.
Washington organic agriculture, by county – 2005. Organic farms and acreage, handlers, processors, farmgate sales.
Washington Organic Tree Fruit acres, 2005. Apples, pears, soft fruit. Variety detail. Average prices. Multi-year trends.
2004 Data
Washington State Organic Acres, by crop – 2004 (a PDF document)
Washington State organic profle – 2004. An overview of organic agriculture statistics for the state, including acres and farms by county, farmgate sales by county, crop breakdown, and organic tree fruit trends. A Powerpoint presentation in PDF format.
Washington organic agriculture by county – 2004. Organic growers, handlers, processors, farmgate sales.
Washington Organic Tree Fruit acres, 2004. Apples, pears, soft fruit. Variety detail. Multi-year trends.
2003 and Earlier Data
Washington State Organic Acres, by crop – 2003
Washington State organic tree fruit acres – 2003
(includes some data from previous years)
Distribution of organic farms and acreage, by county
2004 map
2003 growers, handlers, processors, by county
2003 map
2001 map
Current Trends in Organic Tree Fruit Production. D. Granatstein and E. Kirby. 2002. CSANR Report No. 4, Wenatchee, WA. 24 pp. A PDF manuscript presenting organic tree fruit acreages in Washington State along with national and international estimates. Price trends are also included. Data cover through the end of 2001.
Trends in Organic Tree Fruit Production in Washington State: 1988-1999. David Granatstein. 2000. EB1898E, Washington State University, Pullman, WA. 23 pp. . A detailed analysis of organic tree fruit acreage and trends.
Oregon Organic Ag Statistics
Oregon's Organic Industry. May 21, 2008 article.
Organic agriculture statistics for Oregon, 2007. The most recent data on crops and livestock. Include years 2005-2007 for comparison and tracking growth.
Profile of Organic Crops and Livestock in Oregon – 2006. A comprehensive report (PDF) with all the available statistics for organic production in the state.
Oregon organic profile – 2006. An overview of organic agriculture statistics for the state, including acres and farms by county, farmgate sales by county, crop breakdown, livestock and organic tree fruit trends. A Powerpoint presentation in PDF format.
Oregon organic acres, by crop and livestock – 2005.
Oregon state organic profile – 2005. An overview of organic agriculture statistics for the state, including acres and farms by county, farmgate sales by county, crop breakdown, livestock and organic tree fruit trends. A Powerpoint presentation in PDF format.
Oregon organic agriculture, by county – 2005. Organic farms and acreage, handlers, processors, farmgate sales.
Oregon organic acres, by crop, and livestock – 2004.
Oregon state organic profile – 2004. An overview of organic agriculture statistics for the state, including acres, farms,and farmgate sales by county grouping, and crop breakdown. A Powerpoint presentation in PDF format.
Oregon Tilth,aprivate certifier in Salem, OR, certifies the majority of organic farms in Oregon. CSANR developed a snapshot of organic farms for 2003. No breakdown by crop was available.
Idaho Organic Ag Statistics
Idaho organic acres, by crop and livestock, for both 2004 and 2005. Data from some certifiers is missing for both years.
California Organic Ag Statistics
California requires all organic farms to register with the state, regardless of the certificaiton agency. Therefore, they are able to accurately track the acreage of all the organic production in the state. Karen Klonsky, UC Davis Agricultural Economist, has produced several statistical reviews of organic agriculture in California.
Economic Research Service, USDA
The USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) has been tracking organic farming acreage and organic prices for several years to calculate the extent of certified organic farmland acreage and livestock in the United States.
Organic production is presented in a series of tables showing the change in U.S. organic acreage and livestock numbers from 1992 to 2005. Data for 1997 and 2000-2005 are presented by State and commodity. Data for 2000-2005 include the number of certified operations, by State.
Organic farmgate and wholesale prices includes: 1) monthly organic and conventional farmgate prices for broccoli and carrots; 2) monthly organic and conventional wholesale prices for broccoli, carrots, and mesclun mix; and 3) a limited set of organic prices (and corresponding conventional prices) for other fruits and vegetables from the Boston and San Francisco wholesale markets.
Other Resources
The New Farm, an on-line magazine from Rodale Press, features an organic price index that is available to the public.
Organic Agriculture in Wisconsin: 2005 Status Report. From the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems. 38 pp.
Washington 2004 Agricultural Statistics USDA Washingrton Agricultural Statistics Service.