Global Non-GMO Sales to Reach $800 Billion by 2017

In September, we reported that non-GMO food and beverage sales could be worth an estimated $264 billion in U.S. sales by 2017. And it now appears that this figure could be indicative of a growing worldwide trend.

According to yesterday’s Packaged Facts press release, the market for non-GMO produce is expected to be worth $800 billion by 2017 – doubling the 2012 figure of $400 billion. The market research company believes that much of this growth will be spurred by the emerging middle classes in Russia, China, India and Brazil, who are eager to learn more about healthier eating options.

Packaged Facts goes on to state that, “in Europe, consumer rejection of foods made using GMO ingredients has caused many of the leading international food companies such as Unilever, Nestlé, and Coca-Cola to introduce – or be developing – non-GMO versions of their products. Such giant international food manufacturers are eager to please French, Italian, and other European consumers who have made it clear they don’t want GMO ingredients in their food.”

The organization points out, however, that many of these same companies have blocked efforts to introduce nationwide mandatory GMO labeling in the U.S. (their recent behavior over Washington’s I-522 bill was a prime example of this). The picture we are now left with is clear: if lasting change is to come about, it will be achieved through grassroots efforts rather than government action.

A Thomson Reuters National Survey of Healthcare Consumers: Genetically Engineered Food, conducted in 2010, discovered that a staggering 93.1 percent of Americans want GMOs to be labeled. And the predicted global rise in non-GMO food and beverage sales is a great source of hope to all health-conscious consumers who value the well-being of themselves and their families over the marketing hype generated by Monsanto and other Big Food companies.

Here are three simple steps you can take to limit your consumption of GM ingredients:

• Be careful when purchasing foods that are often genetically engineered.
• Check to see whether the product carries a Non-GMO Project Verified seal or USDA Organic label.
• Take a look at our guide on avoiding GM ingredients.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons