The majority of organic operators are located in Central and Southwestern Ontario. Only 10% of Ontario’s organic operators are based in Eastern Ontario. Western Ontario accounts for the most organic operators, with 36% of Ontario’s organic operators.  

2018 Snapshot of Ontario Organic Acreage

Field crops make up the majority of Ontario organic agriculture, with soybeans, corn and wheat making up most of the organic field crop acreage. Hay, pasture, forages and other natural areas are the second highest acreage, supporting our livestock industries. Specialty production is largely made up of maple production. Fruits and vegetables made up approximately 3.5% of Ontario’s organic acreage in 2018. In 2018, the top organic fruits grown were wine grapes and apples, and the top vegetables grown were tomatoes, sweet corn and potatoes.

Ontario Organic Acreage by Crop Type Over Time

Historically, Ontario’s organic acreage has been growing steadily since data was first collected on the sector in 2003 by Anne Macey and the Canadian Organic Growers. From 2004 to 2018, overall organic acreage in Ontario has grown by 150%; field crop acreage has grown by 130%, pasture and forage acreage has grown by 188%, and fruit and vegetable acreage has grown by 197%. The increase in organic acreage between 2009-2010 coincides with the Canada Organic Regime coming into effect.

Organic Farm Types in Ontario

The following chart illustrates data from the 2016 Census of Agriculture for farms reporting organic products and farms reporting no organic products. Notably, fruits and vegetables and greenhouse production are more prominent among organic farms than non-organic farms. Field crop producers made up a smaller share of organic producers, than non-organic producers. Within livestock production, non-organic beef farmers made up nearly 14% of all non-organic producers, while organic beef farmers made up 7% of all organic producers. However, organic dairy farmers made up approximately 9% of all organic farms, while non-organic dairy farmers made up 7% of all non-organic farms. Please note that farms may be producing more than one type of product, but are only classified by the predominant method of production.

Top Commodities in Ontario by Farm Cash Receipts for Organic Farms

The 2016 Census of Agriculture reports gross farm receipts from the previous fiscal year (2015) for farms that reported selling organic products. While farms that do primarily greenhouse production made up approximately 7% of organic farms in 2016, organic greenhouse producers had the highest reported gross farm receipts, making up 44% of total gross farm receipts. Organic livestock producers reported the second highest gross farm receipts of the various production types. Within livestock production, poultry and egg production made up nearly 15% of all gross farm receipts. Please note that the gross farm receipt numbers may include sales of non-organic products.