Amidst trade tensions, the Canadian organic sector has opportunities to expand into many markets but needs support and investment from the federal government to be competitive, say industry representatives.
Tag Archives Organic
Trade, competitiveness, investment among organic sector’s election priorities
Most organic commodity prices remain firm heading into the holidays
Organic grain prices held steady in December, as industry participants reflected on the past year and considered what a new administration in the United States could mean for the North American markets in 2025. “(Prices) are in a holding pattern until we know what’s going to happen with the U.S. situation,” commented Harro Wehrmann of
Feds fund organic development groups
MacAulay pledged up to nearly $$1,175,841 for the Canadian Organic Trade Association (COTA) over three years via the AgriMarketing program and up to $985,985 over three years to the Prairie Organic Development Fund via the AgriCompetativeness program.
Organic growers push for recognition in federal agriculture strategy
The Canadian Organic Growers are pushing the federal government to recognize their sector in the federal Sustainable Agriculture Strategy, set to be published later this year.
"The [Sustainable Agriculture Strategy] is and can be a big opportunity, and organic and regenerative have a lot to offer," said Katie Fettes, COG's director of policy and research, in an online presentation yesterday.
Organic farmers invited to soil health benchmarking study
Organic farmers across the country are invited to measure the benefits of soil management practices on their farms as part of a study led by Prairie organic organizations.
Organic sector tables petition in Parliament
Groups call for recognition, incentives; supportive policy and programming
A petition calling for greater federal support of the organic sector was presented in Parliament this Tuesday. “The petitioners are calling upon the Government of Canada to give Canadians better and more affordable access to the foods they want by establishing bold policies and programs that would encourage growth in the domestic supply of organic,” said B.C. MP Alistair MacGregor, who tabled the petition.
Organic group send petition to federal government
Feds asked to establish policies and programs to help organic producers meet consumer demand, create sustainable food systems
The petition says that Canadian consumers are driving strong demand for organic food, and asks the federal government to establish policies and programs to “encourage growth in the domestic supply of organic to meet the market opportunity,” and to “meaningfully recognize and incentivize sustainable resilient food systems, such as organic, across all departments that relate to Canadian food policy.”
Organic operators down, acreage up: new industry stats
Total organic sales in 2022 was $10.26, billion up from $9.35 billion in 2021
The number of Canadian organic producers and processors fell by nearly 300 in 2022 according to the latest industry stats. “There’s people coming in and there’s people going out,” said Tia Loftsgard, executive director of the Canadian Organic Trade Association (COTA).
Organic sector launches national action plan
Industry groups lobby for place in federal departments
National organic groups want to get a bigger space at the table when it comes to federal policies and the work of departments like Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The goal is part of a proposed national organic action plan launched in September. Organic industry groups say their products are gaining popularity among consumers and government
Organic grain price discovery hub launches
Platform will provide vital stats, buyer directory to a data-starved sector
The often data-starved Prairie organic sector has launched a new price-discovery and marketing tool for farmers. “Organic grain producers in Canada have few resources to help them navigate the local and international marketplace,” said Marie-Eve Levert, director of business development for the new Organic Grain Hub, in a Sept. 21 news release. “There is a
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