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Organic Advantage: Vegetable Production
Organic Advantage: Vegetable Production
crops
ORGANIC
ADVANTAGE
Transition to higher profits
1
October 2014
Organic advantage
Transition to higher profits
Are you a vegetable producer looking for a new business opportunity? No matter what crops you grow, there is an
opportunity for you to gain a market and business advantage by switching your conventional acres into organic
production. Making the transition can be easily navigated with support from organic experts.
ORGANIC
ADVANTAGE
North America
global organic
7.5% of the g
50% Demand
More than 20 m
Canadians buy o
products weekly
ORGANIC CONSUM
Market Advantage
7.5% Supply
million (60%)
organic
MER 2002
Canadian organic
food sales are
$2.8 billion
3
Market Advantage
Market advantage
Strong consumer demand for organic products
Sales of organic food and beverages in Canada increased from $2 billion in 2008 to $3 billion in 2012. Since 2006,
the value of the Canadian organic food market has tripled, far exceeding the growth rate of other agri-food sectors.
The significant increase in industry value is driven by consumers more than 58% of Canadians buy organic
products on a weekly basis.
Figure 1
Imports of
Selected Organic Vegetables
Figure 1
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Broccoli
Beets
Cauliflower
Spinach
Onions
Cucumbers
Celery
Carrots
Lettuce
2011
2012
Figure 2
Market Advantage
ushrooms
Mushrooms
$4 million
Onions
Broccoli
$4 million $4 million
auliflower
Celery
Cauliflower
$5 million $5 million
$6 million
$11 million
$26 million
Vegetable
V
Other
$28 million
Carrots
Lettuce
$29 million
$78 million
Fig
Glo
bal
: Fi
BL-
ma
rk
e
Figure 3
I-IF t: D
OA
M istr
SuSales
Global Market: Distribution of Total Retail
Value
rv ib
u by Country
AM
ey
ER
LA
N
ITA
LY
UK
CANADA
3%
4%
4%
4%
44
8%
AN
Y
N CE
FRA
14%
SW
ITZ
20
13
tion
of
tot
al r
eta
il s
US
A
Frozen
6
Fresh
15
Other
15
Juice
5
Soups
6
Dehydrated
28
Condiments
28
ale
sv
GE
RM
Figure 4 Figure 10
Canadian Organic Vegetable Processors by Product Type
rce
20%
Sou
OTHER
ure
Business Advantage
Business advantage
Lower costs, increased profitability
Best management practices associated with producing an organic crop can significantly reduce cost of production as
compared to a conventional crop. For instance, inputs such as synthetic fertilizer and pesticides are not relied upon in
this crop production system. In other words, less investment is required per acre to grow an organic crop. And while
yields may be lower than conventional crops, better prices are generally offered for organic crops, resulting in higher
margins. When you combine lower costs with price premiums, the result is a healthier bottom line.
Market gardens
under 3 acres
Gross
sales/acre
Net cash
income/acre**
Market farms
3-12 acres
Vegetable farms
over 12 acres*
Low
High
Average
Low
High
Average
Low
High
Average
$8,888
$25,605
$15,623
$6,267
$15,276
$11,121
$6,750
$14,466
$10,810
$1,892
$9,487
$5,664
$1,331
$8,547
$4,679
$1,103
$7,430
$3,757
Source: Grower to Grower: Creating a livelihood on a fresh market vegetable farm. University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
*largest was 70 acres
**Net cash income is a farms gross sales minus all current year cash expenses. Factors such as prescribed machinery use and land costs,
depreciation and opportunity costs were not included.
Business Advantage
Figure
Figure6 5
Organic
Conventional
Cauliflower
Prices Prices
Organicvs.vs.
Conventional
Cauliflower
Source: AAFC
90
Organic
80
Conventional
70
$ /Carton 12
60
50
40
30
20
10
Nov 2013
Jul 2013
Sep 2013
May 2013
Jan 2013
Mar 2013
Nov 2012
Jul 2012
Sep 2012
May 2012
Jan 2012
Mar 2012
Figure 7
Organic vs. Conventional Yellow Onion Prices
Figure 7
Figure 6
Organic
vs. Conventional Iceberg Head Lettuce
Source: AAFC
Organic
vs. Conventional Yellow Onion Prices
Source: AAFC
60
60
Organic High
Organic Low
Conventional High
40
Conventional Low
Organic High
50
$/16 3lb Bag
50
$ /Carton 24
Nov 2011
Jul 2011
Figure 6
Organic vs. Conventional Iceberg Head Lettuce Prices
Sep 2011
May 2011
Jan 2011
Mar 2011
Organic Low
40
Conventional High
30
Conventional Low
30
20
20
Oct 2013
Jul 2013
Apr 2013
Jan 2013
Oct 2012
Jul 2012
Jan 2012
Apr 2012
Oct 2011
Jul 2011
Apr 2011
Jan 2011
Jul 2013
Oct 2013
Jan 2013
Apr 2013
Jul 2012
Oct 2012
Apr 2012
Jan 2012
Jul 2011
Oct 2011
Jan 2011
Apr 2011
10
10
Figure
8
Figure 6
Organic
vs. Conventional Carrot Prices
Organic vs. Conventional Carrot Prices
Source: AAFC
40
Organic High
Organic Low
30
Conventional High
25
Conventional Low
20
Dec 2013
Oct 2013
Jun 2013
Aug 2013
Feb 2013
Apr 2013
Dec 2012
Oct 2012
Aug 2012
Jun 2012
Apr 2012
Feb 2012
Dec 2011
10
Oct 2011
15
Aug 2011
$ /Carton 24 bunched
35
Organic vegetable yields can be quite variable depending on the skill of the grower, the background fertility of the
land and the intensity of the production system. While yields are often lower during the transition period, over
time, as soil health and fertility improve, yields typically increase and can approach conventional.
1. Rippy, Janet F.M. et al. Plant Development and Harvest Yields of Greenhouse Tomatoes in Six Organic Growing Systems. HortScience, Vol. 39(2), April 2004, pp 223-229.
Business Advantage
Business Advantage
OSCII consists of industry-led research and development, and its outcomes are centred on competitiveness, market
growth, adaptability and sustainability. This will be accomplished by using innovation to drive ecological intensification
through the following:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Field crops: Optimizing productivity and competitiveness through adaptable systems for field crops
Horticultural crops: Advancing the science of vegetable, fruit and novel horticultural crops
Crop pests: Innovation in sustainable pest management strategies
Livestock: Optimizing animal health and welfare for productivity and quality
Value Adding: Adding value to capture markets through innovative processing solutions
OSCII includes a number of examples of innovation that will help the organic crop sector grow and prosper. This
includes: breeding for improved cultivars; reduced tillage systems under organic management; use of biological
soil amendments to improve plant health; development of new management products and practices for crops pests
(insects, diseases and weeds) in field and storage; technological advances in greenhouse production; management
targeting optimization of the nutritional value of crops; and utilizing advanced processing techniques to develop
value-added products.
OSCII, which continues until March 2018, will help producers capture opportunities by supporting the
development of emerging organic production in Canada that is responding to market demand.
The organic sector is well established in Canada. There is a significant knowledge base and numerous
resources available to navigate a smooth transition from conventional to organic production.
While the economics of various crops during transition vary from region to region, one of the best options for
maintaining positive returns through this period is a perennial hay crop. Not only does it provide a positive economic
return during transition, it also sets the farm up for success in the first years of certified organic production it builds
soil nitrogen levels, assists with weed control, and increases soil biological activity. Another strategy is a gradual
transition into organic production, which can offset the transition costs. As current Canadian organic regulations do
not require immediate total conversion, a conventional operation can diversify into organic production over time.
With the recent advances in biological controls for integrated pest management in greenhouse production, organic
greenhouse production is feasible. The primary difference between organic and conventional greenhouse production is
the requirement to grow in soil rather than using a sterile substrate and hydroponic production.
Transition resources
Certified organic
10
Transition Advantage
Transition advantage
Transition Advantage
Success Story
Pounds of Fertilizer/acre to
provide X pounds of P2O5 per acre
20
40
60
80
100
130
270
400
530
670
270
530
800
1100
1300
330
670
1000
1330
1670
Source: Cornell University Cooperative Extension, NYS IPM Publication No. 133. 2013.
11
Fraserland Organics
Delta, B.C.
Fraserland Organics is a group of three family farms working cooperatively to farm organically certified land in Delta,
B.C. In 1994, Fraserland started experimenting with 10 acres in organic production they now have 1,600 acres in full
organic production with more in transition to become certified.
The companys organic production incorporates fundamental principles used by previous generations before the advent
of chemical agriculture. Fraserland combines those principles with high-tech organic farming methods incorporating
what they learn through their on-farm research projects. According to owner Shelly Harris, theyve learned that organic
production is much more than substituting organic inputs for conventional products. Each field has become its own
ecosystem with beneficial plants, microorganisms and insects working in balance.
Along with third-party organic certification, Fraserland also participates in the Salmon Safe Program, Canadian
Horticultural Council, On-Farm Food Safety and has an Environmental Farm Plan.
It has taken many years for Fraserland to build markets for its rotation of crops. The business has cultivated strong
relationships with buyers of both its fresh and value-added products that are sold locally and across North America.
Fraserland Farms places transitional land in the Grassland Set-aside Stewardship Program, which encourages farmers to
plant fields with grasses and clover to restore the soil. The fields are fallowed for up to four years to provide habitats
for wildlife including grassland raptors, wading birds, songbirds, small mammals and pollinating insects. As well, fertility is
improved by increasing organic matter in the soil.
Origin Organics
Ladner, B.C.
Origin Organics (OriginO) was founded in 1997 with the intent to grow the best-tasting greenhouse vegetables of the
highest quality. In 2005, OriginO received its first organic certification to produce consistent high-quality and greattasting organic vegetables for the North American market.
OriginO was the first large-scale commercial organic certified greenhouse in Canada. The company currently has a total of
23 acres under glass at two greenhouses located in Langley and Delta, B.C., growing certified organic tomatoes, English
cucumbers and coloured sweet bell peppers for sale in Canada and the U.S.
OriginOs farming objective is to be sustainable in an environmentally friendly manner. The company creates its own blend of
soil and compost-growing media. The proprietary organic fertilizer mix is made of all-natural, raw materials. All drainage is
collected and irrigation is applied to ensure minimum waste. Pest and disease control is achieved through careful attention to
the growing environment and health of the plants along with the strategic release of beneficial insects.
Transition Advantage
Success Stories
Organic Contacts
contact one of the following organizations for more information on organic crop production:
National
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
(AAFC)
1-855-773-0241
[email protected]
www.agr.gc.ca/organic
British Columbia
Certified Organic Associations of B.C. British Columbia Ministry of
(COABC)
Agriculture (BCMAGRI)
250-260-4429
[email protected]
www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca
Alberta
Organic Alberta
1-855-521-2400
[email protected]
www.organicalberta.org
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Organic Directorate
Marla Carlson, Administrator
306-535-2710
[email protected]
Organic Connections
Saskatchewan Agriculture
Chantal Jacobs,
Provincial Specialist: Alternative
Cropping Systems
306-798-0945
[email protected]
Manitoba
Manitoba Organic Alliance (MOA)
(204) 546-2099
[email protected]
www.manitobaorganicalliance.com
13
Qubec
LUnion des producteurs agricoles
(UPA)
450-679-0530
[email protected]
www.upa.qc.ca
418-838-4747
[email protected]
www.filierebio.qc.ca
New Brunswick
Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional
Network (ACORN)
1-866-32-ACORN
[email protected]
www.acornorganic.org
Nova Scotia
Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional
Network (ACORN)
1-866-32-ACORN
[email protected]
www.acornorganic.org
14
Newfoundland Department of
Natural Resources, Agrifoods
Development Branch
Organic Contacts
Ontario
15