USDA AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK The outlook on The pandemic changed everything. Organic produce saw improvements in retail sales, research opportunities BY STEPHEN KLOOSTERMAN MANAGING EDITOR he produce-driven organic food industry weathered the pandemic remarkably well, and investment in research of organic may be part of the solution for increased growth. Economists, researchers and industry officials shared their insights in late February during the USDA's Agricultural Outlook. In a session with the media, USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer said that specialty crops generally weren't doing as well as traditional " cornbelt " crops in terms of cash receipts. Asked if growers would transition more acres to organic to increase the value of their crops, he said, " whatever consumers continue to demand, those growers in the United States will continue to produce it. " A breakout session on organics later in the virtual event painted an optimistic picture of organic agriculture - and especially organic fruits and vegetables. 22 MARCH/APRIL 2021 T Organics