Why Is Organic Food More Expensive?

A plethora of market forces, from federal subsidies to input prices, affect the cost of organic food.

Organic produce for sale at a Ralph's Supermarket in Irvine, Calif., on Nov. 28, 2016. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

Grocery shoppers in the United States have an abundance of options to choose from, and a wide range of prices accompanying varying selections.

Items labeled as organic typically sell for a premium over nonorganic counterparts, but many consumers are unaware of the market forces that factor into the pricing.