Organic Action Plan

Unlocking the Organic Opportunity for Canada

Agriculture faces unprecedented challenges, including economic and geopolitical pressures, trade barriers, and climate change. Building more resilient food and farming systems is an imperative. Organic agriculture is a proven, practical tool the Canadian government already has at its disposal to help meet national priorities for economic growth, food security, public health, biodiversity, and climate action. It is time to leverage it to its full potential.

Organic food and farming deliver measurable environmental, economic, and social benefits. The system is federally regulated under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), third-party verified according to the Canadian Organic Standards (COS), and internationally recognized through nine equivalency arrangements with 35 trading partners. Organic is a credible, enforceable production system with broad application across Canada’s diverse agricultural landscape, and growing global demand.

In 2023, Canada’s organic market surpassed $9 billion, up from $6.3 billion in 2019, making it
the fifth largest in the world in a growing global market now valued at over $200 billion. But Canada is not keeping pace. Domestic organic production has stagnated, acreage is down, and imports are rising as companies struggle to find Canadian organic products. In 2023, Canada experienced its first decline in certified organic producers since the Canada Organic Regime (COR) was established in 2009.

Meanwhile, Canada’s key competitors, including the United States (US) and European Union (EU), have identified organic’s potential, and have deployed dedicated organic strategies. As a result, the US now invests 8 times more per acre into its organic sector than Canada, while the EU invests 200 times more.

A policy framework is needed to ensure that Canada’s future food system includes a strong foundation in organic agriculture.

A National Organic Action Plan for Canada

The Organic Action Plan (OAP), developed by the Canadian Organic Alliance (COA) – comprised of the three national organic organizations: COG, Canada Organic Trade Association, and the Organic Federation of Canada – outlines a strategy to unlock organic’s growth potential and position it as a pillar of Canada’s sustainable agri-food economy. It proposes a public-private partnership model, with sector-led commitments and clear roles for government.

The OAP is organized around 3 key pillars:

1. Strengthen Policy, Regulatory, and Data Infrastructure: Establish policy direction and a supportive regulatory environment, and invest in industry and government to lead organic development and uphold integrity and compliance.
2. Accelerate Growth and Innovation in Organic Production: Expand domestic organic
   supply by enhancing transition supports, risk management tools, and expanding
   research, extension, and innovation to improve productivity and sustainability
3. Grow Organic Markets and Demand: Create stable and more predictable market conditions for organic products, build processing and distribution infrastructure, and stimulate demand through consumer education, public procurement, and retail andsupply chain partnerships.

This plan offers a shared framework for action across federal, provincial, and territorial governments, while recognizing regional priorities and flexibility in implementation. A coordinated approach can drive market development, expand farmland under organic management, and deliver benefits for farmers, consumers, and the public.

The COA calls on federal and provincial governments to adopt this strategy and invest in organic as a strategic pillar of Canada’s competitive and sustainable agri-food system. The COA and its partners are ready to work with government to implement the plan and position organic as a key part of Canada’s food, trade, and climate future.

Canada cannot meet its climate, biodiversity, or public health goals without transforming agriculture. This requires investment in underserved segments of the sector. Organic is not the only answer—but it is defined, verified, and ready to scale. Let us invest in what works.

The Canadian Organic Alliance includes the Canadian Organic Growers, the Canada Organic Trade Association and the Organic Federation of Canada. Together, we represent nearly 8,000 organic operators across Canada, working together to provide healthy, sustainable food to Canadians and the world.