With the growing availability of industry data, and given the significant growth in imports between 2007 and 2008, it is estimated that the retail value of organic food in the Canadian market reached C$2.1bn-2.6bn (US$) in 2008, driven primarily by the sale of organic fresh fruits and vegetables, according to a new USDA GAIN report.
Canada’s organic market is growing at 15-20 per cent per year, the USDA said, with the main categories of organic food sales in supermarkets comprising fresh fruits and vegetables at 41 per cent, beverages at 17 per cent and prepared foods at 14 per cent.
Packaged organic foods make up much of the remainder of organic sales in Canada, and although data are not available for the other sales channels, it is estimated that they have a much higher proportion of fruits and vegetables.
Up to 80 per cent of organic fresh produce consumed in Canada is imported, the USDA said, and industry sources estimate that imports of certified organic agriculture produce in 2008 are estimated to be well in excess of C$30m (US$).
The vast majority of Canada’s imported organic produce comes from the US, which accounts for approximately 74 per cent of total organic imports. Currently the leading imported products by value include cabbage, raspberries, sauces, carrots and bananas.
Annual growth rates of retail sales are also very strong, according to the USDA. The latest data from 2007 shows meats leading with over 80 per cent retail growth, followed by growth in fresh vegetable sales at 38 per cent. British Columbia leads the country in consumption per capita. With 13 per cent of the country’s population, the province consumed 26 per cent of organic food sold in Canada in 2006.
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