This past week, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Washington, DC, to engage with policymakers and industry leaders on behalf of PURIS and the Organic Trade Association (OTA). It was a week filled with insightful discussions, essential updates, and inspiring visits. Here’s a recap of the highlights:
OTA Priorities Roundup
During our meetings, we focused on several key priorities crucial for the organic sector's growth and integrity. Here are the main themes we discussed:
1) Protecting Organic Integrity
One of the top priorities is ensuring that the organic standards remain robust and that fraudulent organic imports are curtailed. This involves rigorous enforcement and continuous improvement of the organic certification process to maintain consumer trust and a level playing field for organic farmers. At PURIS, we fully support these efforts and believe that vigorous enforcement is essential for the credibility of the organic label. We are committed to working with stakeholders throughout the value chain to maintain the integrity of the organic seal and prevent fraud.
2) Supporting Domestic Organic Agriculture
We advocated for policies that bolster the growth of organic farming in the USA. This includes securing adequate funding for the National Organic Program (NOP) and the Organic Transition Research Program (ORG). The NOP is essential for maintaining the integrity of the organic seal, while the ORG supports research and education programs that help farmers transition to organic practices.
3) Promoting Fair Trade Practices
Trade policies that support fair competition and benefit the entire organic sector are vital. We discussed the need for regulatory updates to reduce red tape and ensure a predictable and consistent process for organic certification. This includes initiatives like the Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards Act (CIAO).
Organic Situation Report
The organic situation report released this week highlighted a concerning trend—US organic sales are up but acres are down. According to the report, "The latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service Organic Survey conducted in 2021 reported a 10.9-percent decline in organic acres relative to 2019, driven by a drop in pasture and rangeland." The data in the 2025 report is four years old, so USDA supplements with some private data from Argus. Argus is projecting 6-7% decrease in acreage. Field crops look to be remaining relatively flat in total organic acreage. These trends underscore the importance of our efforts to support and grow the domestic organic industry. By advocating for policies that provide financial support and infrastructure investments, we aim to reverse this trend and encourage more farmers to adopt organic practices.
The report also details the US trade deficit in Organic. In 2023 the US imported nearly $4.5 billion in organic crops while exporting just over $500 million. That is a nearly $4 billion trade deficit. Some of this is in organic produce, but this deficit also includes commodities that the US grows over 80 million acres of a conventional version, such as soybeans. "The United States imports organic commodities for several reasons, including commodities that are not suited for production in much of the United States (e.g., tropical fruits such as bananas imported from Mexico and Ecuador), commodities that are grown domestically but whose domestic demand surpasses domestic supply (e.g., soybeans from Argentina and Turkey or soybean meal from India), and to keep supply constant during the off-season (e.g., blueberries from Peru and Mexico)." The US importing organic soybeans from Turkey and organic soymeal from India and West Africa is spurring questions and frustrations about the authenticity of those supply chains. Fraudulent imports and questionable supply chains lead to domestic market volatility that disincentivizes farmers from opting into organic. We see similar challenges in pea protein imports from China and India.
Visit with the National Organic Program
One of the highlights of my trip was visiting with the National Organic Program team. I was thrilled to see their passion and dedication to protecting the integrity of the USDA Organic seal. Their commitment builds confidence in maintaining its high standards.
The Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rule, which went into effect in March 2023, is a significant step forward in enhancing the oversight and enforcement of organic standards. The SOE rule includes several key provisions:
- Mandatory Certification for Previously Exempt Operators: This includes brokers and traders at critical links in the organic supply chain, ensuring that all entities handling organic products are certified.
- NOP Import Certificates: All organic imports must now be accompanied by NOP Import Certificates, which document the organic status and quantity of imported products. This ensures an auditable business transaction and helps prevent fraud.
- Organic Identification on Non-Retail Containers: Non-retail containers carrying organic ingredients must be labeled with organic identity and traceability information, reducing the mishandling of organic products and supporting traceability.
With the SOE rule in place, the NOP now has greater visibility into what organic products are being imported and can take more decisive action to ensure the integrity of the organic supply chain. This increased oversight helps protect consumers and supports the growth of the organic industry by ensuring that only genuinely organic products reach the market.
At PURIS, we have been committed to organic operations since 2004. Our dedication to supporting the domestic organic industry and expanding organic acreage in the USA remains unwavering. We can continue to drive positive change and growth in the organic sector by fostering strong relationships with policymakers and industry stakeholders.
Pictured above: Nicole Atchison (CEO, PURIS Holdings), Matthew Dillon (CEO, Organic Trade Association), two South Dakotan organic growers, and Shrene White (ESG & Grower Relations, Ardent Mills) in Washington D.C.
