Organic Growers say Tripling Organic Acreage Could Strengthen Canada’s Trade Position

Organic Farming could Deliver 117 Percent Higher Returns per Acre

A new report from the Organic Task Force, organized by Canadian Organic Growers, calls for a major federal investment to expand organic farming across Canada. The report, Cultivating the Organic Opportunity for Canadian Farmers and Consumers, urges the government to provide $68.5 million each year to triple organic acreage and help existing organic farmers improve performance while supporting new transitions. 

“This research shows organic farming is a proven tool to increase farm profitability and strengthen Canada’s trade position while delivering climate and biodiversity benefits,” said Katie Fettes, Director of Policy and Research at Canadian Organic Growers and Co-Chair of the Organic Task Force. 

“With strategic investment, we can unlock billions in farm income, make organic farming a viable opportunity for more farmers, reduce GHG emissions, and ensure Canadian farmers, not foreign competitors, are the ones who benefit from this growing market.” 

The report highlights that organic farming can deliver 117 percent higher net returns per acre and generate an additional $1.73 billion in farm income over ten years. It also notes that every dollar invested in organic transition could return nearly eight dollars to farmers and the wider economy. 

Canada’s organic food market reached over $9 billion in 2023, rising from $6.38 billion in 2019, making it the fifth largest in the world. However, domestic production has not kept pace, forcing greater reliance on imports and allowing competitors such as the United States to capture growing market opportunities. 

Organic practices reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent per acre, improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and use up to 50 percent less energy than conventional systems. Global demand is also growing, with the U.S. market expected to triple in the next decade and the Indo-Pacific market to double within five years. 

“Canadians are looking to buy more organic food,” said Ian Cushon, an organic grain farmer at Moose Creek Organic Farm, and Co-Chair of the Organic Task Force. “But beyond this, they also want to buy Canadian and support local farmers and companies. Increased federal investment is a win for consumers, farmers, Canadian companies, and the economy at large.” 

Despite these benefits, transition costs remain high. The report urges Canada to match stronger international investments, noting that U.S. funding per acre is eight times higher and the European Union invests more than 200 times more.  

Strategic funding would help Canadian farmers benefit from rising consumer demand for local organic products while supporting national climate and biodiversity goals. 

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