Introducing the Organic Grain Hub: A New Tool to Empower Canadian Organic Grain Growers
Press Release
Visit the Organic Grain Hub today at organicgrainhub.org
[Winnipeg, September 21, 2023] – Today marks the launch of the Organic Grain Hub, a digital platform that will bridge critical information gaps in the organic grain marketplace. Launched just in time for Organic Week, the Hub is an invaluable resource for both experienced organic farmers and industry newcomers.
“Right now, organic grain producers in Canada have few resources to help them navigate the local and international marketplace. There is a pricing information vacuum, no central directory of organic grain buyers, and a lack of in-depth market analysis that is specifically tailored to the sector,” said Marie-Eve Levert, the Hub’s Director of Business Development.
The Organic Grain Hub offers a comprehensive platform that equips growers with tools to address these gaps. The Organic Price Discovery Tool provides up-to-date and reliable prices; the International Organic Grain Directory reduces the work to find buyers, while providing viable options farmers may not be aware of. Finally, an Organic Grain Market Intelligence Newsletter complements these resources with in-depth analysis to explain the swings in pricing while providing farmers with the insights they need to prosper in this competitive international market.
“While mainstream grain farmers have many sources to help them access up-to-date pricing, we noticed an important gap for organic grain growers, leaving these farmers at the mercy of the markets,” said Laura Telford, Organic Industry Development Specialist for Manitoba Agriculture..
The Hub’s prices are based on data collected from bi-monthly calls to Canada’s major organic grain buyers and crowdsourced farmer data from within the platform. This collective effort means that the Hub’s Organic Price Discovery Tool collects a large number of observations for each grain from different growing regions, ensuring that results are accurate, reliable, and representative of the dynamic organic grain market.
The Directory is the only directory of Canadian and international organic grain buyers. “Organic farms rely on crop rotation and therefore need to connect with a wide range of buyers to sell different grains. This platform significantly lightens the load of finding trusted grain buyers that are certified organic”, said Marika Dewar-Norosky, Executive Director of the Manitoba Organic Alliance. The directory is searchable, allowing growers to find potential buyers based on grain type, terminal location, or by company.
Growers and buyers can also sign up for the Hub’s quarterly market intelligence newsletter, which will provide in-depth analysis of factors impacting the organic grain marketplace.
“We hope that access to these tools will help organic growers to more realistically target their grain bids and compete internationally,” said Levert.
The Organic Grain Hub makes it easier for Canadian organic grain growers to connect with more buyers, while giving them the market intelligence they need to succeed in a competitive business environment.
Backgrounder
- There are over 3,000 organic grain farms in Canada
- 2.4% of Canadian farms are certified organic
- Canada is the fourth largest producer of organic pulses and sixth largest producer of organic cereals in the world
- Canadians spent $7.34 billion on organic food and beverages in 2022, making Canada the fifth largest market for organic foods globally
* Source: Canada Organic Trade Association, Organic by the numbers 2022 data
We are thrilled to introduce the Organic Grain Hub during the 2023 Organic Week. The Hub is a digital platform that addresses the key needs of organic grain growers in Canada. Our mission is to empower farmers with real-time pricing insights and connect them with reliable buyers. By fostering a sense of community and collaboration, we believe that the Hub will play a pivotal role in driving the growth and success of the organic grain industry. We invite all Canadian organic grain growers to join us in this exciting journey towards a more transparent and connected future.
At Manitoba Organic Alliance, we are delighted to see the fruition of our vision to empower organic grain farmers in the world of international marketing. This innovative platform gives Canadian growers reliable market information to help their businesses succeed. By collaborating with organic associations across the country, we have created a platform that not only addresses industry challenges but also fosters a spirit of unity within the organic grain community. We believe that the Organic Grain Hub will play a vital role in enhancing the success of organic farmers and contribute to the growth of the organic grain industry as a whole. As we embark on this journey together, we welcome all farmers to join us to see how the Organic Grain Hub can help them to market their organic grains.
About the Organic Grain Hub
The Organic Grain Hub is a digital platform established by the Manitoba Organic Alliance and developed by Tactica Interactive. The Hub is positioned to become the market intelligence center for the organic grain industry; empowering growers to make informed decisions and thrive in the ever-evolving international organic grain market. The Hub complements its web platform with a quarterly organic grain market intelligence newsletter and directly supports it via trade development and B2B activities for the organic grain industry.
About Organic Week
Organic Week is Canada’s largest annual celebration of organic food, farming, and products across the country. It serves as a platform to raise awareness, educate consumers, and foster engagement around the organic movement in Canada. Organic Week is taking place from September 18 to 24, 2023.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Marie-Eve Levert
Director of Business Development
Organic Grain Hub
marie-eve@organicgrainhub.com
