Top Commodities

$ million

Milk 1,633

Broiler chickens 1,509

Eggs 1,221

Apples 629

Corn for grain 424

Strawberries 336

Cattle 316

Grapes 309

Lettuce 276

Soybeans 242

About the Survey

The 2021 Certifi ed Organic Survey 

is a census of all known U.S. farmers 

and ranchers with certifi ed organic 

production in 2021. NASS conducted 

the survey in conjunction with USDA’s 

Risk Management Agency. To be 

included, producers must be certifi ed 

by an approved agent of USDA’s 

Agricultural Marketing Service’s 

National Organic Program. 

The 2021 data, as well as results of 

previous NASS organic surveys, are 

available in the NASS searchable 

database Quick Stats at www. 

quickstats.nass.usda.gov or as PDF 

publications at www.nass.usda.gov/ 

organics.

U.S. farms and ranches sold $11.2 billion in certifi ed organic commodities in 

2021, up 13% from $9.9 billion in 2019. Of 2021 sales, 54% was for crops ($6.1 

billion), and 46% was for livestock, poultry, and related products ($5.1 billion). 

Certifi ed Organic Farms and Land

Between 2019 and 2021, the number of certifi ed organic farms with organic 

production in the country increased 5% to 17,445, and the number of 

certifi ed acres decreased 11% to 4.9 million. 

Certifi ed organic cropland increased 3% 

to 3.6 million acres while certifi ed organic 

pastureland declined 36% to 1.3 million acres. 

California led in both number of farms and 

acres, with 3,061 certifi ed farms and 813,710 

acres. The state accounted for 17% of total 

U.S. certifi ed organic land. 

Only three other states had more than 1,000 

certifi ed organic farms: Wisconsin (1,455), 

New York (1,407), and Pennsylvania (1,125). 

NASS Highlights

www.nass.usda.gov

December 2022 • No. 2022-9

California led in farms, 

land, and sales

ORGANIC FARMING

Results from the

2021 Organic Survey

Number of Certifi ed Organic Farms by State, 2021

U.S. = 17,445

< 50

50 - 99

100 - 499

500 - 999

1,000 +

Top States: Certifi ed Organic Acres

thousands

California 814

New York 331

Montana 320

Wisconsin 245

Texas 241

Oregon 228

Idaho 216

Vermont 203

Colorado 191

Iowa 169

United States Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service
Certified Organic Sales

Ten states accounted for 

roughly three-fourths 

(73%) of 2021 sales. With 

$3.6 billion in certified 

organic commodity sales, 

California continued 

to lead the nation, 

accounting for 32% of 

the U.S. total. 

Organic production 

encompasses a wide 

range of commodities. Of the total sales, $6.1 billion 

came from crops, $2.9 billion from livestock and poultry 

products (primarily milk and eggs), and $2.2 billion from 

livestock and poultry. (Tables 1 and 2)

Table 1. Certified Organic Sales by Sector, 2019 and 2021

($ billion and percent change from 2019)

2019 2021 % change

Crops 5.8 6.1 5

Livestock and poultry products 2.5 2.9 16

Livestock and poultry 1.7 2.2 29

Total 9.9 11.2 13

Milk and broiler chickens were the top two certified 

commodities sold. Milk, valued at $1.6 billion, was up 

3% from 2019, and chickens, at $1.5 billion, increased 

35%. Chicken eggs ranked third, with sales of $1.2 billion. 

Among crops, the top selling commodities were apples, 

corn for grain, and strawberries.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Top States: Certified Organic Sales

$ million

California 3,550

Washington 1,140

Pennsylvania 1,094

Texas 572

Oregon 386

New York 328

Wisconsin 313

North Carolina 308

Michigan 272

Colorado 253

Table 2. Certified Organic Sales by Major Sector and Top 

Commodities, 2021

($ million and percent change)

Sector

Total

Commodity 

Sales

% change, 

2019 to

($ million) 2021

Livestock and poultry products 2,858 15

Milk 1,633 3

Eggs 1,221 38

Vegetables in the open 1,914 -8

Lettuce 276 -31

Spinach 215 20

Potatoes 183 18

Onion all 140 24

Broccoli 135 24

Fruits, tree nuts, and berries 2,199 9

Apples 629 32

Strawberries 336 5

Grapes 309 -7

Blueberries 224 8

All Citrus 108 -7

Raspberries 94 2

Blackberries 71 42

Livestock and poultry 2,197 32

Broiler chickens 1,509 35

Cattle 316 8

Field crops 1,498 27

Corn for grain 424 53

Soybeans 242 122

Alfalfa Dry Hay 179 16

Wheat 139 -7

Total 11,205 13

2021 Organic Sales Percent Change from 2019 by State

U.S. = 13%

Data Not Available

10 + % decrease

< 10% decrease/increase

10 - 30% increase

30 - 50% increase

50 - 100% increase

United States Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service