Why Organic Foods Cost More, Why They Are Worth It, And How To Lower Their Cost

Although organic foods usually cost more than conventional ones, it’s a good investment on your health. Here’s why they cost more, and how to reduce it.

This article was first written and published on another website in 2008.

Organic Food Cost – how to lower it

Most people generally have the preconception that organic food cost is a lot higher than so-called normal foods. This is true to a certain extent.

In general, organic produce and processed organic foods can range anywhere from 10 to 40% more expensive, or even more. This very much depends on where you are, and whether or not there are organic foods which are grown and produced locally.

Why is the cost of organic food higher?

We have to recognize that organic foods take a lot more time and effort, and thus incur more costs, in their production. Because current production levels are still much lower than conventional foods, there is also limited economies of scale.

In addition, organic foods often have to be processed in separate facilities, thereby further driving up organic food costs.

Also, due to limited sources, organic food products often have to be shipped in from faraway places.

In the case of animal products, costs are increased because they are fed more expensive food, and fewer of them can be bred per unit area of land. Their growth is also not artificially sped up using unnatural hormones.

Further, because no chemical preservatives are added, the shelf-lives of organic food products are shorter, and this disadvantage would have to be priced in, thus also contributing to higher organic food costs.

The relative cost of organic food isn’t that great when we compare their true value to most conventional foods today

On the other hand, somehow, with mass production and the use of cheap and dubious raw materials, many very inexpensive food products and snacks are available for consumption.

Yet, in terms of quality and nutritional content, most of these cheap food products are actually very poor foods. On top of that, they also always contain harmful chemical preservatives, flavorings and additives. Not stuff you want to be consuming if you are health-conscious.

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