Transitioning to Organic
Transitioning to Organic
Between 2016 and 2018, COG worked with industry members from the Organic Value Chain Roundtable and with consultants Seracon and Group Agéco on a cross-Canada research project to better understand the risks and barriers preventing farmers from transitioning to organic production.
Market research showed that Canadians wanted organic products and that concern about agriculture’s impact on the land and environment was driving this demand. However, increasing demand is not being matched by domestic supply, and Canadian farmers struggle to benefit from the market opportunities of transitioning to organic production. This inability to take advantage of the “organic opportunity,” means Canadian consumers fail to find Canadian organic products in our grocery stores, and Canada fails to capitalize on the environmental benefits of increased organic practices.
So, what are the barriers?
This is the question that drove COG to commission this study. We recognized early on that identifying the risks and barriers facing transitioning farmers would be critical to understanding what Canada needs to enable a competitive and innovative organic industry. If we want a clear path forward, we need to know where we are starting from.
The project included an in-depth review of transition literature, case-studies with producers in various commodities, focus groups with producers in regions across Canada and two provincial program evaluations. We hope that this report will be a resource for future projects and/or studies looking to remove existing barriers and strengthen Canada’s organic sector.
Between 2016 and 2018, COG worked with industry members from the Organic Value Chain Roundtable and with consultants Seracon and Group Agéco on a cross-Canada research project to better understand the risks and barriers preventing farmers from transitioning to organic production.
Market research showed that Canadians wanted organic products and that concern about agriculture’s impact on the land and environment was driving this demand. However, increasing demand is not being matched by domestic supply, and Canadian farmers struggle to benefit from the market opportunities of transitioning to organic production. This inability to take advantage of the “organic opportunity,” means Canadian consumers fail to find Canadian organic products in our grocery stores, and Canada fails to capitalize on the environmental benefits of increased organic practices.
So, what are the barriers?
This is the question that drove COG to commission this study. We recognized early on that identifying the risks and barriers facing transitioning farmers would be critical to understanding what Canada needs to enable a competitive and innovative organic industry. If we want a clear path forward, we need to know where we are starting from.
The project included an in-depth review of transition literature, case-studies with producers in various commodities, focus groups with producers in regions across Canada and two provincial program evaluations. We hope that this report will be a resource for future projects and/or studies looking to remove existing barriers and strengthen Canada’s organic sector.
Deliverables
Transitioning to Organics: A Risk Based Analysis
Deliverables
Transitioning to Organic: A Risk Based Analysis
Infographics
Top 3 Motivating Factors For Transitioning
These are the top three factors motivating Canadian farmers to transitions to organic production:
Access to Expanding Markets
The respondents made it very clear that there was a market opportunity for producers to grow organically produced fruits and vegetables. The magnitude of demand for organic produce is not currently being fulfilled and has created an opportunity for certified organic growers.
Potential to Increase Profits
This is seemingly linked with the primary motivating factors of increasing market opportunities.
Farm Sustainability
Being able to produce fruits and vegetables for generations to come. There was the strong belief that producing fruits and vegetables organically was the right way to farm and would allow them to farm for many years to come.
Top 5 Key Risks of Transitioning
These are the top five risks impeding Canadian farmers from transitioning to organic production:
Non-Allowable Inputs
A lack of clarity on inputs allowed for organic certification may lead to a crop being certified.
Few Buyers
Growers relying initially on a single buyer may lose their market if the purchasing business fails. The anticipated organic market premiums may not come to fruition.
Understanding of the Certification Process
A grower may not be able to access resources required to successfully navigate the certification process, including selection of the certifying body.
Record Keeping
Weed Management
A grower may not be able to access the resources required to adequately maintain control of weeds and other pests.
Infographics
Top 5 Key Risks of Transitioning
These are the top five risks impeding Canadian farmers from transitioning to organic production:
Non-Allowable Inputs
A lack of clarity on inputs allowed for organic certification may lead to a crop being certified.
Understanding of the Certification Process
A lack of clarity on inputs allowed for organic certification may lead to a crop being certified.
Few Buyers
Growers relying initially on a single buyer may lose their market if the purchasing business fails. The anticipated organic market premiums may not come to fruition.
Record Keeping
Insufficient or inaccurate records may lead to a crop not being certified. The burden of record-keeping may lead to a grower not completing transition process.
Weed Management
A grower may not be able to access the resources required to adequately maintain control of weeds and other pests.
Top 3 Motivating Factors for Transitioning
These are the top five risks impeding Canadian farmers from transitioning to organic production:
Access to Expanding Markets
The respondents made it very clear that there was a market opportunity for producers to grow organically produced fruits and vegetables. The magnitude of demand for organic produce is not currently being fulfilled and has created an opportunity for certified organic growers.
Potential to Increase Profits
The respondents made it very clear that there was a market opportunity for producers to grow organically produced fruits and vegetables. The magnitude of demand for organic produce is not currently being fulfilled and has created an opportunity for certified organic growers.
Farm Sustainability
The respondents made it very clear that there was a market opportunity for producers to grow organically produced fruits and vegetables. The magnitude of demand for organic produce is not currently being fulfilled and has created an opportunity for certified organic growers.
Transitioning to Organic
Vegetable Producers
Top 3 Concerns of Producers Considering Transition
Top 3 Actual Obstacles Faced During Transition
Certification Process
Controlling Insects
Economic Viability
Controlling Weeds
Assurance in Price
Understanding the Organic Certification Requirements
Dairy Producers
Top 4 Concerns of Producers Considering Transition
Top 4 Actual Obstacles Faced During Transition
Certification Process
Record Keeping
Milk Yield
Finding Technical Expertise
Assurance in Milk Quality
Cost of Organic Inputs
Funding Required to Sustain the Transition
Understanding the Organic Certification Requirements
Transitioning to Organic
Vegetable Producers
Top 3 Concerns of Producers Considering Transition
Certification Process
Certification Process
Assurance in Price
Top 3 Actual Obstacles Faced During Transition
Controlling Insects
Controlling Weeds
Understanding the Organic Certification Requirements
Dairy Producers
Top 4 Concerns of Producers Considering Transition
Certification Process
Milk Yield
Assurance in Milk Quality
Funding Required to Sustain the Transition
Top 4 Actual Obstacles Faced During Transition
Record Keeping
Finding Technical Expertise
Cost of Organic Inputs
Understanding the Organic Certification Requirements
Recommendations
From Transitioning to Organic: A Risk-Based Analysis
Support Active Extension
Clarity on Inputs
Uniformity of Process
Learn from Success
Foster Value-Added Supply Chains
Transition Programs
Recommendations
From Transitioning to Organic: A Risk-Based Analysis
Support Active Extension
Support Active Extension
Clarity on Inputs
Clarity on Inputs
Uniformity of Process
Uniformity of Process
Learn from Success
Learn from Success
Foster Value-Added Supply Chains
Foster Value-Added Supply Chains
Transition Programs
Transition Programs