Final answer:
The idea that organic foods have higher nutrients is false; their nutrient levels can vary like non-organic foods. They are pricier due to increased consumer demand, strict production standards, and higher costs of organic farming.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that organic foods generally contain higher levels of nutrients than non-organic foods is debated and can be considered false. The nutrient content of food depends on many factors, including the conditions in which the food was grown, its freshness, and how it is stored and cooked, rather than whether it is organic or not.
Why Are Organic Foods More Expensive?
Organic foods are more expensive than their conventional counterparts due to the basic principles of supply and demand. Awareness about the negative effects of chemical fertilizers, growth hormones, and pesticides from large-scale farming has increased consumer preference for organic food. This high demand, combined with the strict requirements for organic farming, which often results in lower yields and higher production costs, leads to higher prices. The USDA certification used to officially label foods as organic in the U.S. stipulates that most synthetic pesticides and fertilizers cannot be used, contributing to these increased costs.
Impact on Demand for Organic Foods
The preference for organic foods has been further reinforced by overall increases in income, allowing consumers to afford more expensive products. With the rise in organic food consumption, the demand curve for these products has shifted to the right, indicating a greater quantity is demanded at each price point. Consequently, producers respond to the higher prices by supplying a greater quantity of organic food, moving up the supply curve.