Key Trends from EXPO WEST 2025 in Natural and Organic Foods
Mar 21, 2025Overview
Every year, EXPO WEST gathers professionals from the natural and organic products industry to explore latest trends, innovations, and challenges shaping the future. The event serves as a dynamic space where buyers, service providers, and investors connect with brands, industry leaders, and experts.
Attendees gain insights from panel discussions, networking events, and workshops, where thought leaders address the evolving sector of natural and organic products. Staying closely connected to developments in the industry is a priority for Intact. That’s why Intact regularly attends events like EXPO WEST. Not just to observe, but to engage, learn, and contribute to ongoing conversations shaping the sector. This year, two Intact employees were on-site to connect with professionals and gather key insights that are reflected throughout this article.
Key Trends
The State of Organic: Understanding Consumer Trust and Behavior
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) led a compelling discussion on how consumers perceive organic products and what drives their purchasing decisions. A key challenge for the organic industry remains pricing because organic products come at a premium due to policy, infrastructure, and farming practices.
Key Takeaways:
- Messaging Matters: The industry should move beyond saying “what’s not in the product” and focus on educating consumers about why Organic is a superior choice.
- “You’re Worth It”: Buying Organic should be an investment in personal health.
- Infrastructure remains a hurdle, particularly in supporting farmers who want to transition to Organic but face logistical and financial challenges.
Organic Policy and Advocacy: The Fight for Stronger Support
Another panel focused on the policy and legislative structure for organic agriculture, highlighting ongoing struggles in Washington D.C. to prioritize farming in policy discussions. A major point of discussion was the misconception that organic farming is a government mandate. Panelists stressed that organic farming is a voluntary choice made by farmers who invest in sustainable practices despite the challenges.
Key Takeaways:
- The farm bill is delayed, and changes to Organic certification remain uncertain.
- Farmers need financial and logistical support to transition to Organic and compete with conventional farming.
- Education and advocacy remain critical to ensuring Organic is seen as a viable and scalable farming option.
Regenerative Agriculture: The Next Evolution in Sustainable Farming
A key theme at EXPO WEST 2025 was the rise of regenerative agriculture (regen), a movement focused on improving soil health, biodiversity, and overall ecosystem resilience. The panelists expressed their deep commitment to creating a food system that restores rather than depletes the land. The message was clear: food is more than just a product – it’s part of a larger movement to create a healthier planet.
Key Takeaways:
- Regenerative agriculture is gaining momentum as a complement to organic farming.
- More transparency is needed to make regen a scalable, trustworthy practice.
- Investment in soil health and biodiversity is the next frontier in sustainable food production.
The Future of Natural and Organic Foods
EXPO WEST 2025 made it clear that the natural and organic food industry is evolving and thriving. Consumers are more engaged than ever, and trust in Organic remains strong. While challenges around policy and infrastructure exist, the passion and commitment of industry leaders, farmers, and advocates are driving meaningful change.
Moving forward, businesses and policy makers have an opportunity to:
- Educate and inspire consumers about the deeper value of organic and regenerative practices.
- Support policies that make Organic certification and sustainable farming more accessible.
- Invest in long-term solutions that strengthen the food system from soil to shelf.
As the organic industry continues to grow and evolve, efficient and reliable certification processes are essential to maintaining consumer trust and industry standards. The Intact Platform is the leading software solution for the organic sector and offers a complete, flexible system that simplifies audit, certification, accreditation, and standards management.
Want to learn more? Discover how Intact can help streamline Organic certification today!
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Our experts are ready to discuss your challenges and demonstrate how you can master them with ease with Intact software solutions.
Fill out the form, and we will take care of the rest.