The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, recently announced a significant boost for the Canadian organic sector, with more than $2 million dedicated to enhancing organic farming and its market potential.
This announcement came as a part of the celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of the Canada Organic Regime.
Canada's organic industry is not just surviving; it's thriving, growing rapidly each year. In 2022, sales of organic food and beverages reached nearly $8 billion, an increase from the previous year, illustrating a strong and growing demand for organic products across the country.
The funds are part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership and are allocated to two pivotal organizations.
The Canada Organic Trade Association will receive up to $1,175,841 over the next three years. This funding under the AgriMarketing Program aims to resolve market access issues, build export capacity, and enhance competitiveness and domestic opportunities through trade missions, international trade shows, and marketing campaigns.
Additionally, the Prairie Organic Development Fund is set to receive up to $985,985.
This funding will support projects under the AgriCompetitiveness Program, focusing on data aggregation, educational tools, and skill-building to strengthen the organic sector's foundation in Canada.
Minister MacAulay expressed his enthusiasm about the milestone, saying, “I’m so pleased to celebrate this milestone today and highlight our continued support for the Canadian organic industry. With increasing demand for local organic products from folks here in Canada and around the world, I have no doubt this investment will have a positive impact right across the value chain.”
Echoing this sentiment, Tia Loftsgard, Executive Director of the Canada Organic Trade Association, highlighted the crucial role of AgriMarketing funding in enhancing the sector's capabilities: “This support has been instrumental in advancing our mission, enabling us to expand our reach and strengthen the organic sector in Canada.”
Jim Robbins, President of the Prairie Organic Development Fund, also acknowledged the impact of the investment, “The funds will help improve data collection and develop tools and skill-building activities, making an important contribution to growing organic supply and helping farmers adopt agronomic practices, making them more resilient to climate change.”