By the Numbers: Organic Food in Canada

Toronto – November 3, 2013 – According to a new study, more than half of all Canadian shoppers buy some kind of organic food product every week. Organic foods and beverages have become the fastest-growing segment in the grocery sector, with the sale of organic food products tripling over the past six years.
 

• $3.7 billion – Annual (2012) sales of organic food products

• 300% – Sales growth of organic products since 2006

• 58% – Percentage of Canadians who buy some organic products each week

• 41% – Percentage of Canadians who believe organic food is more nutritious

• 66% – Percentage of British Columbia shoppers who buy some organic products each week (highest in the country)

• 59% – Percentage of Canadians who believe that organic farming is better for the environment

• 3,732 – Number of organic farms in Canada

• 11,167 – Number of people employed in organic agriculture

• 39% – Fruits and Vegetables share of organic food sales in Canada

• 15% – Dairy and Eggs share of organic food sales in Canada

• 15% – Beverages (soy milk, fruit juices etc.) share of organic food sales in Canada

• 12% – Bread and Grains share of organic food sales in Canada

• 4^th – Canada's world rank in total annual spending on organic food purchases

Source: Canada's Organic Market, Canada Organic Trade Association (2013)