We’ll be honest: organic products are often more expensive than those grown and handled conventionally. Here, we’ll explain why. We’ll also let you know how much more you can expect to pay for various organic products and why buying organic really is worth the extra cost.We’ll be honest: organic products are often more expensive than those grown and handled conventionally. Here, we’ll explain why. We’ll also let you know how much more you can expect to pay for various organic products and why buying organic really is worth the extra cost.

It’s a fact that organic products – everything from waffles to pet food – tend to be more expensive than their conventional counterparts. Organic produce, for example, is usually priced about 20-25 percent higher than conventional produce, according to the Organic Trade Association. Exact cost differences, though, vary by region and season, especially for fruits and vegetables. Here are some reasons organic products often cost more.

• Since organic farmers don’t use chemicals like synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, their crops may yield less harvest than conventional crops. To make up for this crop yield loss, they may sell their product at a higher price.
• Many organic farms are small and cannot buy supplies, equipment and other resources in volume.
• Organic production is often more labor-intensive than conventional farming, as growers are required to meet strict criteria.
• Conventional farming is often accompanied by indirect costs to our community, such as polluted-water cleanup and soil replacement. If those expenses were taken into account when conventional products were priced, organic products might cost the same or even be cheaper.

Buying organic really is worth the extra cost. See our list of organic benefits for some reasons why.

So now you know why organic products often cost more. But just how much more are we talking about? Check out this chart for an example* of cost differences between organic and traditional products.

* This chart reflects an informal survey of in-store and online non-sale prices at national and Detroit-area retailers in summer 2007. Prices at your local stores may be different, as costs vary greatly by season, location, availability and retailer.