Ottawa, Ontario
May 2, 2005
The recent analysis of
Statistics Canada's data on organic fruit and vegetable
production collected between 2000 and 2003* presents a distorted
picture of the market for Canadian produced organic products,
according to the Organic Trade
Association (OTA).
The analysis,
written by William Parsons, appears in the April 2005 issue of
VISTA on the Agri-Food Industry and the Farm Community
published by the Agriculture Division of Statistics Canada. The
study focuses only on one segment of organic fruit and vegetable
production-those farms selling directly to consumers through
farm gate sales or farmers' markets.
"This analysis has
a narrow focus and is not indicative of the state of Canada's
organic agriculture as a whole," said Katherine DiMatteo, OTA's
executive director. "It also does not distinguish between
certified and non-certified organic farms."
Certified organic
farms, she noted, have been inspected by a third party to ensure
they follow acceptable organic agricultural practices that build
healthy soil without the use of persistent and toxic pesticides
and fertilizers.
The study also does not include organic fruits and vegetables
sold to distributors, nor does it look at the vast majority of
organic farmers growing other products.
According to the
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
report "Certified Organic -The Status of the Canadian Organic
Market in 2003," there were 3,317 certified organic producers in
Canada. This number includes organic livestock, dairy, grain and
maple syrup producers as well as fruit and vegetable producers.
More than one million acres are currently under organic
management in Canada, and another 13,400 acres are in transition
towards certification.
Consumer demand is
creating a market opportunity for organic growers in Canada. As
well as organic farmers, Canada has 455 certified organic
processors and handlers.
*
http://www.seedquest.com/News/releases/2005/may/12145.htm
The Organic
Trade Association is the business association representing the
organic industry in North America. Its 1,600 members include
growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers'
associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants,
retailers and others. Founded in 1985, OTA encourages global
sustainability by promoting and protecting the growth of diverse
organic trade. |