BC Organic Industry Overview 

Organic farming involves the production of food and other agricultural products without the use of synthetic inputs such as chemical fertilizers, chemical pesticides, chemical growth regulators or hormones, and antibiotics.

Organic farming falls under the Food Choice and Disclosure Act. The Organic Agricultural Products Certification Regulation enables farmers to:

• obtain a certificate confirming that they are following prescribed production methods.
• upon certification, advertise their produce as being certified organic.

The prescribed production standards were established by the Certified Organic Associations of British Columbia in collaboration with the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. To be considered for certification, farmers wishing to market organic crops must have kept their land chemical-free for three years and continue to do so. Farmers wishing to market organic meat, poultry and other livestock products must use chemical free feed and no medication. To ensure standards are observed at all times, organic growers are subject to both regular scheduled and unannounced inspections.

The Certified Organic Associations of British Columbia (COABC) is an umbrella organization representing provincial organic certifying agencies. It is designated under the Act to implement the British Columbia Certified Organic Program. Organic produce is identified by the designation British Columbia Certified Organic.

Excerpt: BCMAL Farm Practices

Estimated Number of Farms* 

* Organic farms producing both fruits and vegetables are included in each column. The numbers have been rounded to the nearest five farms or acres.

Estimated Areas (acres)* 

* Organic farms producing both fruits and vegetables are included in each column. The numbers have been rounded to the nearest five farms or acres.

Excerpt: BCMAL: Fast Stats 2004

Additional Statistics:

• BC Organic Farming
• Price differential between organic and non-organic sales of fresh vegetables directly to the public, 2001 and 2002
• Price differential between organic and non-organic sales of fresh fruit directly to the public, 2001 and 2002
• Number of non-organic farms for every organic farm - direct sales 2002