Western Economic Diversification announced $1.2 million in funding today to help prairie organic grain growers develop international markets.
The money will be spent on enhancing the Organic Alberta Council’s leadership role in the Prairie Organic Grain Initiative, which works to boost organic grain production, quality and profitability and support grower participation in trade shows and international missions.
“While the Canadian organic food market has tripled since 2006 from $1 billion to $3 billion, organic production has not kept pace,” Becky Lipton, executive director of the Organic Alberta Council, said in a press release.
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Certified organic production comprises only 1.8 percent of all farms in Canada despite 58 percent of Canadians saying they buy organic products each week.
“This project will support expansion of Canadian organic grain and field crops while simultaneously building resiliency and stability in the sector,” she said.
“By achieving increased quantity and quality, we will not only meet the demand but be leaders in continued market expansion.”
The Prairie Organic Grain Initiative is a partnership between the Organic Alberta Council, the Saskatchewan Organic Directorate, the Manitoba Organic Alliance and the Certified Organic Associations of British Columbia.
The project receives funding from USC Canada, Dave’s Killer Bread, Nature’s Path and Grain Miller’s Inc.
A couple of weeks ago the federal government announced another $785,000 investment in Canada’s organic sector.
That was part of a four-year $1.5 million program overseen by the Canadian Organic Trade Association to increase the visibility of the Canadian organic brand in export markets.
The project is expected to result in $20 million in international sales.
“This significant investment in Canada’s organic sector will allow our farmers and businesses to be more strategic and more impactful in how they go to market, both here at home and abroad,” said Matthew Holmes, executive director of the Canada Organic Trade Association.
Contact sean.pratt@producer.com
