Retailer decisions about organic imports and organic private labels

Food industry experts and even casual supermarket shoppers are likely aware of several prominent trends centering on organic foods. On-camera intercept interviews showed that shoppers leaving the retailer were surprised to learn that PL frozen vegetables and other PL products originated in China or other countries. The total level of imported organic products into the United States is unknown, however, as are trends in both the value and the quantity of organic imports. The coinciding retail trends of more organic PLs and increased organic imports raise the possibility that the two are linked. Imports can be an attractive source for organic PLs because they have a potentially lower price point. The survey responses also suggest that most food retailing companies sell some imported organic products; approximately 69% of all respondents reported having some imported organic products available for sale in 2008, for an average of 19% of all organic product sales.