Mercaris | WholeFoods Magazine

Survey: Organic Certification Increases Land Value

August 12, 2020

Silver Spring, MD—What is the impact of organic certification on land value? Mercaris, along with partners including Croatan Institute, Laird Norton Company, Merge Organics, Midwestern BioAg, and People’s Company, addresses the topic in the first whitepaper in its Mercoterra project. The key finding: Certified organic cropland can command higher rents. Data gathered...

USDA Releases Draft Version of Strengthening Organic Enforcement Proposed Rule

July 16, 2020

WholeFoods Magazine Staff

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) has released a draft version of a proposed rule to strengthen organic enforcement. The proposed amendments are “intended to protect integrity in the organic supply chain and build consumer and industry trust in the USDA organic label by strengthening organic...

Mercaris Releases Spring Outlook, Plus Outlines COVID-19 Supply Chain Concerns

May 5, 2020

WholeFoods Magazine Staff

Silver Spring, MD—Organic soybeans will fetch higher prices this year, according to Mercaris’ spring outlook. Other findings: Organic corn and wheat are on a “bearish” trend over the 2019/20 market year. A press release explains that a collapse in organic soybean imports from China and a reduction from Canada and...

"Remarkable Year for Organic Production": Mercaris Releases 2019 Acreage Report

February 25, 2020

WholeFoods Magazine Staff

Silver Spring, MD—U.S. farmers harvested nearly 3.3 million acres of certified organic field crops in 2019, driven by 14% more organic field crop operations, according to a press release from Mercaris. Mercaris’ Final 2019 Acreage Report shows that the number of growers converting land to organic production “escalated significantly” over...

Organic Corn and Soy to See Decline in Crop Area, Report Suggests

September 26, 2019

WholeFoods Magazine Staff

Silver Spring, MD—Organic farmers in the U.S. Corn Belt are expecting a decrease in this year’s corn and soy harvest thanks to a tough 2019, according to the September Monthly Market Update from Mercaris. While overall harvested organic field crop acres will see a 7% increase over last year, the...

2019 U.S. Organic Acreage Shows Major Gains

September 10, 2019

WholeFoods Magazine Staff

Silver Spring, MD—This year will see a record organic harvest, despite weather and trade challenges, according to Mercaris’ Annual Acreage Report. Farmers will harvest 3.1 million acres of U.S. Certified Organic land, an increase of 7% over 2018. The West and High Plains regions saw the largest jump in organic...