US organic price gap climbs up to 59 percent in 2026

On average, Americans pay a 59 percent premium on organic fresh produce, a recent study by financial services platform Lending Tree found. The gap has grown year on year, jumping from 52.6 percent in 2025. 

This is a big jump from a more linear relationship between the categories, with organic prices going up 2.4 percent in 2025—only 0.1 percent more than non-organics. 

Overall, organic prices have risen 10 percent year on year, says Lending Tree, with Roma tomatoes and bell peppers among the most expensive items. The former is 134 percent more expensive than its conventional counterpart, a stark difference that can be explained by a steep rise of 186 percent in price since 2025, going from 99 cents per pound to $2.83 for the same amount. 

Similarly, organic bell peppers are significantly more expensive than the conventional version, with a price difference of 131.5 percent in the case of the orange and yellow varieties.

“Overall, 25 of the 52 items—or nearly half—we analyzed cost at least 50 percent more when purchased organic. Meanwhile, 14 items cost at least 75 percent more,” read the study.

Matt Schulz, LendingTree’s chief consumer finance analyst, explained that the significant organic price gap can make something that had seemed like a necessity feel more like a luxury. 

“When that happens, habits change,” he added. “Maybe instead of buying all organic produce, someone only buys a few organic items. Perhaps organics become occasional upgrades rather than staples, or maybe they just get ignored entirely in favor of canned or frozen produce.”

Despite rising organic prices, demand is still going strong

Fortunately for organic producers, demand for the category is still going strong. According to Organic Produce Network, organic food sales in the US hit $10.6 billion in 2025, reflecting a nearly six percent increase from the previous year. 2024. 

Meanwhile, conventional produce sales only grew 1.3 percent in the same period, despite non-organic prices remaining steady. According to Lending Tree, the category experienced only a 0.3 percent increase in the past 12 months. 

The platform cites several factors as the potential reasons behind the end of this trend, including higher labor, input, and certification costs. The study also mentioned diminished labor availability, water access, and increasingly volatile weather conditions. 

*All images are referential. 

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