Organic produce in Canada is anticipated to become more expensive this winter with some vegetable categories even appearing empty now the Canadian border is closed to organic vegetables containing sodium nitrate, according to a report by Canada.com.
The use of sodium nitrate is permitted under US organic rules, but Canada’s new mandatory standards does not allow producers use the organic label in Canadian stores if the produce is grown in soil enriched with the natural substance, the report said.
Like the European Union, Canada considers sodium nitrate to be the equivalent of a synthetic fertiliser because it is highly soluble and leaches from the soil. The new regulations came into force in July, but the industry expected a two-year grace period under a stream of commerce policy to allow for a transition away from sodium nitrate.
The fertiliser is commonly used by large-scale organic growers in California during unfavourable fall and winter conditions to secure a third crop every year.
ome 80 per cent of all vegetables sold in Canada during the season come from California, according to Laura Telford, national director of the Canadian Organic Growers, who estimates that only five of the large-scale organic producers have stopped using sodium nitrate.
As a result, Canadian consumers are expected to see higher prices on organic produce throughout the winter, Ms Telford told Canada.com.
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