Contributed Content: Mercaris November Market Update Reports Growth in U.S. Organic Feed Demand

Provider of organic and non-GMO agriculture market data and auctions releases 2018 and 2019 trends surrounding organic livestock SILVER SPRING, MD, Nov. 19, 2018 — Mercaris, the data services company bringing market intelligence to sustainable agriculture, released its monthly market update analyzing the growth of organic livestock from the 2017 and 2018 marketing year (MY). Aggregating data from both the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Mercaris insights, the company estimates a steady rise in U.S. organic feed demand. The market report describes major sources of organic feed demand and focuses on organic broiler slaughter data, as provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Mercaris reports that 53.5 million head of organic broilers were slaughtered in the U.S. from September 2017 through August 2018. This is a seven percent increase from the prior marketing year. Mercaris estimates that over the 2017 and 2018 MY, organic broiler meat production consumed the equivalent of 4.8 million bushels of organic soybeans[1].

Mercaris states that the U.S. appears on track to slaughter 13.8 million head of organic broilers through the first three months of the 2018 and 2019 MY, up nearly nine percent from the same period last year. If the U.S. maintains this trend through the remainder of 2018 and 2019, then Mercaris predicts organic broiler meat production will consume the equivalent of 5.2 million bushels of organic soybeans over the MY. “We’re proud to report proprietary insights for the organic and non-GMO markets, helping educate and advocate for the future of sustainable agriculture,” said Kellee James, co-founder and CEO at Mercaris. “This latest report indicates a strong finish for the 2017 and 2018 marketing year and an equally strong start to this year suggests that the U.S. organic sector still has a lot of room for growth. How that growth will impact ever shifting trade and further expansion in the U.S. organic acreage will be the top factors to watch throughout the 2018 and 2019 marketing year.” Other elements of organic livestock are also contributing to the growth in U.S. organic feed demand. The USDA estimates organic egg layer inventories reached 15.6 million head the week of November 5, 2018, up 11 percent from the same week of the prior year. In addition, organic fluid milk sales reached 222 million pounds in August 2018 according to the USDA, up two percent from the year prior. Mercaris publishes the most timely and accurate pricing information through the Mercaris Market Survey — the most comprehensive and largest organic and non-GMO data set available to date. More than 60 first handler facilities participate, encompassing 25 percent of the total domestic organic and non-GMO market. Mercaris reports can be purchased at www.mercaris.com/plans-and-pricing. To learn more about Mercaris research and market insights, visit www.mercaris.com.

About Mercaris Since 2013, Mercaris has been helping its customers capitalize on growing demand for organic and non-GMO foods by providing market access and services tailored to the needs of the identity-preserved agriculture industry. Mercaris focuses its data and services on identity-preserved commodities, including organic and non-GMO corn, soybean, meal, and wheat markets across all regions of the United States and Canada, and recently launched an organic dairy initiative. Mercaris also maintains an online Auctions Platform, a pioneering tool that enables buyers and sellers to find new markets and more profitably trade organic and non-GMO commodities. Media Contacts Chelsey Kruger, Elevation B2B Marketing ckruger@elevationb2b.com | (480) 775-8880 ext. 4017