OTTAWA, Ontario (November 4, 2025) – On November 4th, leaders from the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) met in Ottawa to urge the federal government to significantly increase supports in the organic industry as outlined in the newly released Organic Action Plan for Canada, a shared roadmap to grow the country’s organic food and farming sector. The Organic Action Plan sets out a national framework and vision for organic growth. With Canada’s organic market now exceeding $9.75 billion annually and ranking fifth in sales globally, the Organic Action Plan calls for coordinated investment and policy action to strengthen domestic production, expand markets, and modernize regulations.
Developed through broad input from across the sector, the plan outlines three key pillars: accelerating organic innovation and productivity, growing domestic and export markets, and strengthening policy and data infrastructure. Together, these measures provide a clear path to harness the economic, environmental, and social benefits of organic food and farming, positioning organic as a ready-to-scale solution for Canada’s sustainable future.
“Canada’s organic sector is ready to lead. With the Organic Action Plan as our roadmap, we’re calling on the federal government to invest boldly in organic innovation, market growth, and policy modernization. This is our moment to scale a solution that delivers economic resilience, environmental stewardship, and addresses global demand for more Canadian organic products.” states Tia Loftsgard, Executive Director of the Canada Organic Trade Association.
COTA's flagship event, the Organic Summit and Parliament Day, which occurred November 3 & 4th, united organic businesses and policymakers to chart the future of Canada’s organic sector. This year’s event featured a dynamic lineup of speakers who explored the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of organic growth, both at home and abroad. From Volkert Engelsman’s compelling keynote address on integrating nature into financial systems to insightful presentations on consumer and retailer demand, shifting global markets, and scaling organic businesses sustainably, attendees gained actionable insights to strengthen the organic movement. Panels tackled pressing topics such as the future of international organic equivalency arrangements, the various assurance systems for organic and the health research on organic consumption. The international line up of speakers included thought leaders from the EU’s Robin Food Coalition, the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movement (IFOAM – Organics International) from Germany and Argentina, US representatives from Organic Trade Association, Regenerative Organic Alliance and Real Organic Project alongisde Canadian presenters such as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Pattison Food Group, Farm Credit Canada, NielsenIQ and entrepreneurs Mike Fata and Humble Chips. The Summit serves as a launch pad for inspired thinking and future collaboration amongst organizations to take bold action toward a more resilient, transparent, and nature-positive organic economy.
“The Organic Action Plan for Canada represents the kind of bold, collaborative vision we need to ensure Canada’s food future is both sustainable and equitable,” said Carrie-Anne Palmeri, Organic Program Manager at Nature’s Path Organic Foods and Board President at the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA). “For decades, organic farmers and brands have shown that it’s possible to nurture the planet while feeding our communities. With the right policy supports, we can scale those benefits nationally — mitigating climate change, protecting biodiversity, and building a more resilient food system for generations to come.”
The Organic Summit also included an Organic Parliamentary Reception, sponsored by MP Elizabeth May, where over 100 Parliamentarians, Senators, and governmental staff engaged with organic sector leaders to discuss key priorities and opportunities for growth.
“The annual Organic Summit has been a staple for the Canadian Organic Sector over the years, bringing together changemakers from across the country to exchange knowledge, make new connections, and demonstrate our collective voices on Parliament Hill. Given the formal launch of the Organic Action Plan this year, 2025 in particular is of significant importance as the Canadian Organic Alliance and representatives throughout the sector bring even more focus to our messaging with government. At Riverside, we believe the adoption of this collaboratively developed plan would represent a genuine step change for the organic industry, generating outsized positive impacts for not only the economy, but our local communities and the environment at large.” states Salma Fotovat - Co-Founder & Director of Sourcing, Procurement, & Impact.
The momentum from these events highlights the need for strategic government support to secure Canada’s position as a leader in sustainable, competitive, and innovative organic trade.
We would like to thank all the participants and sponsors who made these events a success.
GUHAH Way Foundation
Pfenning’s Organic Vegetables
Quality Assurance International (QAI) - NSF
Bay State Milling
Cha’s Organics
Grain Millers
Organic Material Research Institute (OMRI)
Pro-Cert Organic Systems
Renewal Partners
Creative Salmon
ECOCERT Canada
Farm Credit Canada
Mill Street Brewery
Media Contact:
Tia Loftsgard, Executive Director, Canada Organic Trade Association
tloftsgard@canada-organic.ca or 613-482-1717 ext. 200
About the Canada Organic Trade Association
COTA is the membership-based trade association for the organic sector in Canada. COTA represents growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers’ associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and all points along the organic value chain. From seed to sale, we advocate on behalf of our members to encourage the continued growth of the organic sector.
Learn more about COTA at https://www.canada-organic.ca