Weaknesses
Deficiencies in infrastructure of the organic sector that could impede the achievement of the stated goals include:
Social
The organic sector tends not to support a “think big” mentality because it is often not consistent with the
principles of organic production.
Technological
Research capacity, and the knowledge base
The sector lacks an adequate production knowledge base.76
The knowledge base for organic processing is limited – even more so than the knowledge base for organic
production.77
Organic agricultural issues tend not to be addressed by the larger agricultural research institutions.
The conventional research community tends not to be well informed on certification standards and the
associated production limitations.78
Commercial access to technology and inputs
Certified organic crop production has grown faster than the plant breeding and seed production industries.79
Nonorganic perennials require a one-year transition period. Some organic plant and seed varieties are in
short supply. Organic standards require certified organic transplants, but not certified organic seed, for the
production of commodities.
Livestock producers do not have a sufficient supply of organic animals and birds.80
Livestock producers do not have suitable breeds of animals and birds for organic production.
Plant and animal breeding has not focused on characteristics suited to organic production.
Organic growers have difficulty accessing heritage seed in commercial quantities.81
Extension of technology to the organic sector
There is a lack of research and extension support for organic farmers, especially during the transition phase
from conventional to organic systems.
Some products are difficult to produce organically because production aids are lacking.82
Production capacity and product quality
Present and future demand for organic products is greater than the ability of producers to supply products.83
Product consistency, adequacy of volume and regularity of supply are key production issues.
Economic
Industry structure, infrastructure and resources
Organic field crop producers tend to produce more product than can be consumed at the local level and
need to be exported from the production region to the consumer.
Overly taxed voluntary organizations are working to develop the organic sector but have insufficient
resources to further their expertise and capacity.
Organic storage, packing and transport facilities are lacking.
There are an insufficient number of food processors and processing facilities.
Lack of local storage for organic produce limits the capacity of producers to extend the marketing season
and take advantage of higher seasonal prices.84
Canadian organic research group – SWOT analysis
9 – Strategic Vision Consulting Ltd.
Organic livestock producers have limited access to certified organic slaughter facilities.85
Given the lack of Canadian organic infrastructure, it is sometimes easier to export organic crops than to
identify domestic customers, even though Canadian demand for organic products exceeds supply and the
Canadian suppliers cannot often meet the needs of the domestic market.
Many organic farmers and consumers of organic food products use alternative food distribution systems
that tend to be focused on horticultural and small animal products.
Relationships between organic producers and consumers are more difficult to create in regions where
infrastructure accommodates predominantly bulk commodities.
Successful economic interactions between organic producer and consumers occur where government or
non-governmental agencies help create market spaces or create physical or virtual linkages. These are
currently lacking.
There are too few certified processors to manage the level of production but insufficient supply to justify
the construction of new facilities.86
Supply of goods, production industry size and expansion in production
Lack of distribution infrastructure hampers the expansion of the organic sector
Manufacturers are creating new organic products to meet increasing demand for organic foods and
beverages. For example, Anheuser-Busch is currently test-marketing an organic beer called Wild Hop
Lager in California.87 While Anheuser-Busch’s plans could drive the production of organic beer, even
smaller organic brewers have to deal with inconsistent supplies of raw materials.
Markets and marketing
Organic markets are immature markets, supply is lagging behind demand, the infrastructure required to
facilitate the efficient and affordable movement of goods is lacking at both domestic and international
levels.88
The uneven development of organic markets by regions and by commodity is creating a situation in which
retailers and food service companies are loath to buy Canadian organic food products.89
Many organic markets are “immature” – due to insufficient supply and the absence of real and virtual
venues where buyers and sellers can interact.90
Because of the diversity of products handled on many organic farms, many organic operations cannot or do
not wish to operate in mass markets.91
Organic food suppliers may not be able to meet the quality, quantity and price expectations of institutional
customers such as hospitals, municipal governments, penal institutions or universities.92
The organic sector has no formal means of disseminating market information on prices, volumes and
market conditions.93 Producers may share information on a local basis but there is no mechanism for price
discovery at the national or international level.
It is difficult for new growers to acquire land and allow the time required to transition conventional land to
land that meets the requirements for organic farming.94 The sector may need to develop a means of
assisting retiring organic farmers in the transfer of land.
Cultivars of fruits and vegetables suitable for organic production may not be well know by the general
public and marketing new cultivars is a challenge.95
The organic sector has not emphasized the fact that it is based on principles of good stewardship of nature
Producers need better information on market opportunities and access to marketing tools to facilitate
increases in production.96
Financial resources
Lack of core funding for organic associations has been a challenge for the organic sector.97 The mandate of
various organic associations is broad and as membership increases, responsibilities increase and demands
for service become more difficult to meet.
Miscellaneous
Many Canadian organic producers grow bulk commodities and depend on Canada’s reputation as a global trader.
Organic famers and clusters of consumers have successful economic relationships where physical distances
between the farmers and the consumers are not great.
The principles of organic production lead many to think that larger farms and intensive agriculture may not
be options in a “true” organic world