A growing, multi-billion dollar business within natural, specialty gourmet and conventional retail channels, organic products continue to be top of mind for consumers, according to market research firm SPINS, Schaumburg, IL.

A new assessment from SPINS reviewed how organic products are defined and which segments are driving growth. According to the report’s findings, organic products (that contained at least 70% certified organic content) saw 13% growth across retail channels, which was worth more than $11.2 billion in dollar sales.

Further, SPINS found that more than 63% of packaged produce and 69% of milk sold in natural supermarkets was certified organic.

By volume, organic packaged produce represented the largest sales category, with sales worth more than $26 billion in the conventional all outlet combined category.  Organic milk earned $1.2 billion in sales, followed by yogurt and kefir with $448 million, energy bars and gels with $398 million and eggs with $368 million.

The segments that saw the largest increase in sales were shelf stable meats, poultry and seafood, which saw 61% growth in the past year; in addition to baby food, which grew 34%; and shelf stable functional beverages, which had a sales increase of 33%.