NEW YORK - According to the Organic Trade Association??s (OTA) "2010 Organic Industry Survey" released earlier this month, U.S. sales of organic products increased 5.3 percent to reach $26.6 billion last years, Gourmet Retailer reports. The figure represents $24.8 billion in food and $1.8 billion in non-food products.

"While total U.S. food sales grew by only 1.6 percent in 2009, organic food sales grew by 5.1 percent. Meanwhile, organic nonfood sales grew by 9.1 percent, as opposed to total nonfood sales, which had a 1 percent negative sales growth rate," said Christine Bushway, OTA??s executive director. "These findings are indicative that even in tough times, consumers understand the benefits that organic products offer and will make other cuts before they give up products they value."

Organic fruits and vegetables experienced the most growth, up 11.4 percent from 2008 to reach nearly $9.5 billion in sales. The category represents 38 percent of total organic food sales.

The mass-market channel generated the majority of organic food sales last year, with 54 percent of organic foods sold through mainstream grocers, club stores, and retailers.

In the organic nonfood sector, organic supplements led all products with $634 million in sales, representing 35 percent of total organic nonfood sales.