2-Furoic acid can be synthesized by the oxidation of either furfuryl alcohol or furfural. This can be achieved either chemically or biocatalytically. 
The current industrial route involves the Cannizaro reaction of furfural in an aqueous NaOH solution. This is a disproportionation reaction and produces a 1:1 ratio of 2-furoic acid and furfuryl alcohol (a 50% yield of each). It remains economical because both products have commercial value. The bio-catalytic route involves the microorganism Nocardia corallina. This produces 2-furoic acid in higher yields: 98% from 2-furfuryl alcohol and 88% from 2-furfural, but has yet to be commercialised.