A report mapping the organic corn and wheat supply chains in Ontario was launched today by the Organic Council of Ontario (OCO) in partnership with the Organic Grain Hub.
“This is the first report of its kind” said Carolyn Young, OCO’s executive director.
“Without deep investigation like this, the organic sector lacks real
data that we need to help the sector thrive.”
The report found a lack of diversified supply chains specifically for organics so they may be vulnerable to shifts in the marketplace.
“Most of the organic wheat grown in Ontario is for
domestic use,” said Rob Wallbridge OCO board member and agronomy sales lead at SureSource Commodities, one of the industry experts consulted for the report.
“But with bakeries and millers struggling, some high
quality organic wheat is going to animal feed or to Quebec. About
one-third of organic corn is exported to feed mills in New York and
Pennsylvania.
“If the U.S. becomes self-sufficient in organic grains, finds
cheaper imports, or U.S. organic meat consumption drops, Canadian suppliers will have limited options going forward.” Wallbridge said.
The sector is small - $38.5 million worth of corn and
$13.8 million of wheat, based on farm-gate prices.
Shoppers are buying organic grains online and milling them at home.
Farmer-to-baker connections are also helping farmers to increase their income streams by diversifying organic wheat production from soft to hard wheat and by growing heritagewheats to fill growing niche markets.
“This report shows us that organic wheat and corn value chains are surprisingly simple. Yet while this simplicity makes them vulnerable to market disruptions, it also means there are significant gains to be made through market and product diversification,” said Young.
The report is one of three funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness’s Supply Chain Stability and Adaptability program administered by the Agriculture Adaptation Council.
The Ontario Organic Council represents more than 1,300 certified organic operations as well as the businesses, organizations and individuals that deliver organic foods to consumers.
