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

Cover cropping poses unique challenges to organic growers
Weed control and weather effect are two major issues that need to be managed
Organic farmers considering soil-preserving cover crops need to understand all ins-and-outs of the strategy and be prepared to manage challenges unique to their production system. Why it matters: Tracking the financial costs of introducing cover crops may seem basic if you consider only the cost of seed, planting and termination, but adding in the cost […] Read more

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 […] Read more

Organic Council hopes report leads to enhanced data accuracy
Inadequacy of organic crop insurance yield numbers cited
In an era when cropping decisions are increasingly informed by up-to-the-minute data, authors of the just-released Organic Corn and Wheat Value Chain Report for Ontario found the availability of data specific to organic crops is sorely inadequate. Why it matters: The Organic Council of Ontario hopes to use report recommendations to lobby government for funds […] Read more

Organic wheat, corn growers face vulnerabilities
New report aims to enhance resiliency of Ontario’s organic grain sector
Premiums paid for organic crops can enhance the revenue stream for small-scale farmers, but they need to know those premiums will be sustained long-term to justify a transition to organic production. Why it matters: A new report presents the most comprehensive review of the organic grains sector in Ontario to date. A new report on […] Read more

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.”