The organic industry has become a large portion of Canadian small farming and agriculture. Organic goods used to serve a niche market, but over the last 20 years organic has grown to be a secondary premium market with higher prices and a strong following.
Quebec has become a powerhouse in Canadian organic farming, holding the largest number of farms producing and the largest yearly output of organic products.
One of the main reasons for the boom in organic growth in Quebec can be attributed to the provincial government incentives started in 2015 to convert pre-existing farmland into organic farming. Of the nearly 6,000 organic farmers in Canada, Quebec boasts over 2,000 farms, while most of the country has fewer farm covering more land, Quebec has added 354 farms over the last two years.
The support for Quebec’s organic farmers is not slowing down, between 2018-2025 the province’s funding is expected to be 5 billion dollars. For organic small farmers, Quebec’s extensive financial support could reach up to 10,000 dollars for organic land with additional incentives being given to produce fruits and vegetables.