Canada's Organic Industry at a Glance

Canada's large and varied land base, combined with its cooler climate, make it an ideal country for producing organic food. The sector is diversifying and expanding into new markets while achieving double digit annual growth in production and retail sales over the past decade.

This growth rate is expected to increase even faster in coming years as the organic sector in Canada becomes more organized, trade impediments are reduced or eliminated, and consumer confidence and demand are elevated with the implementation of mandatory certification to minimum standards.

Canadian industry facts

• Approximately 3,600 producers working on 530 thousand hectares of land produce certified organic products in Canada.
• Certified organic farms account for approximately 1.5% of the total number of farms in Canada. Organic fruit and vegetable farms lead the way at about 2.3%.
• Organic livestock is one of the fastest growing sectors.
• There are more than 800 certified organic processors and handlers in Canada, producing a wide variety of ingredients and consumer-ready products.
• Total annual retail sales of certified organic products in Canada are more than $1 billion, with about 40% moving through mainstream supermarkets.
• Fresh vegetables account for 25% of all supermarket organic food sales.

Organic exports

• Canada exports a wide selection of certified organic products, ranging from bulk grains to pre-packaged consumer-ready products in every category.
• The largest share of our exports goes to the United States, the European Union and Japan.
• As can be expected from the breadbasket of the world, organic wheat is our most popular export. However, exports of oats, flax, barley, lentils, peas, spelt, hemp, soybeans, corn, sunflowers, and other grains and oilseeds are also significant.

Organic standards

New Organic Products Regulations make certification in accordance with the National Standard for Organic Agriculture mandatory for all organic products. Canada is pursuing agreements with our trading partners to facilitate the unfettered trade of organic products.

For more information

Mike Leclair
Senior Market Development Advisor, Organic Sector
Sectoral Food Industry Services Division
Markets and Trade Team
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
5^th Floor, 930 Carling Ave
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1A 0C5
Telephone: 613-759-7537
Fax: 613-759-7480
Email: mike.leclair@agr.gc.ca