Organic sales in Brazil are valued at approximately (US) $900 million, and two-thirds of organic sales are through conventional retail trade. The selection of organic products is increasing, and organic products can be found in all kinds of marketing channels, thanks in part to government support for the sector. Brazil’s Ministry of Social Development launched the Organic and Sustainable Brazil campaign, the state sponsors Organic Week at the end of May, and the budget for the World Cup included (US) $400,000 to for selling fruit juices, nuts, snacks and sustainable products from small-farm production. Furthermore, school meals must have a prescribed percentage of organic ingredients.

Businesses also used Organic Week to play up their offerings. For example, the retail store Emporio Santa Maria, part of the Marché Group, highlighted special offers and recipes for customers and included organic products in its two restaurants as well as in special displays in the store. The leading organic retailer is Pão de Açúcar, which sold more than (US) $75 million last year, and grew 40 percent. They offer about 850 organic products, including about 260 under their own label, in approximately 1500 stores.

Consumers in Brazil choose organic products for a broad set of reasons, including a desire for health; health conditions such as diabetes or food sensitivities; avoiding pesticides and genetically modified organisms; the welfare of children, protecting the environment, vegetarian/vegan living, or flavor. Obstacles to further development of the organic sector are sub-optimal distribution, poor seasonal availability of key products and high prices. Organic products in Brazil typically cost 20-100 percent more than non-organic products, and appeal primarily to upper and middle classes.