Organic in Canada

The Canadian Organic Growers collect statistics from certification bodies across Canada. According to these statistics as of 2008 there were:

In Canada:

• 3713 certified organic farmers (1.5% of total farms in Canada)
• 190 farms in transition to becoming certified organic 
•  843 certified organic processors
•  360certified organic handlers & traders
• 733 certified organic vegetable farms
• 2077 certified organic field crop farms
• 590 certified organic livestock farms
• 33 certified organic vineyards
• 353 certified organic maple syrup operations
• 20 certified organic mushroom farms
• 60 certified organic community shared agriculture (CSAs)

In Ontario:

• 680 certified organic farmers in Ontario (0.9% of total farms in Ontario)
  
• 14 farms in transition to becoming certified organic
• 220 certified processors
• 37 certified handlers and traders
  

Growth in the number of certified farms has occurred in Atlantic Canada and Alberta; otherwise
there is little change from 2007 numbers. There were declines in Quebec, Saskatchewan and BC.
Quebec's decline may be a result of different counting in 08 from 07 (if a farm had crops and
maple syrup operation it may have been counted twice in 07) rather than a decline in number of
farms. In fact acreage in organic production in Quebec increased by 5,666 ha from 2007 to
41,629 ha in 2008.

Overall there were 69 fewer certified farms reported in 2008 compared with 2007. There are at
least 190 farms in transition but not all CBs provided data for this category.

Additional 2008 statistics may be found at www.cog.ca/OrganicStatistics.htm

Last Updated: 2010-08-27 01:21:40