The 25th of October arranged Organic Sweden in collaboration with Business Sweden, an export seminar on the organic food and beverage market in Canada. During the seminar, Caleb Chapman from Business Sweden's Canada office spoke about the export opportunities for Swedish eco-companies.

The grocery trade in Canada is similar to that in Sweden with three major players dominating the market. The stores often have a wide range of influences from different parts of the world, as Canada is a multicultural country with a mixture of many different food cultures. According to Caleb, there is a great curiosity about European food and Nordic food in particular. In addition, Sweden is perceived as an innovative and sustainable country.

Loblaws - one of the three major players in the grocery trade in Canada - has completely organic departments in its stores instead of mixing conventionally and organically on the shelves. In general, the large chains invest in developing and broadening their organic range.

5 insights on the eco market in Canada:

• Sales of organic food increased by seven percent in 2017
• Sales of organic beverages increased by nine percent in 2017
• Baby food, bars, snacks, sandwiches and coffee are categories where organic is making strong progress
• Organic foods are represented both among independent brands and in the retail trade's own branded products
• The increase in organic sales is primarily driven by the province of British Columbia and major cities such as Toronto
• EU-certified products can be exported to Canada without further administrative work

In 2017, the segment of packaged organic food grew by seven percent. According to Business Sweden, the development is due to consumers' increased interest in organic and sustainable food, as well as to increased disposable income. The organic food market in Canada has more than tripled since 2006 and the younger target group millennials (born 80s to mid 90s) has been a driving force in this development. The four most common reasons why Canadians buy organic are that:

• Avoid pesticide residues in food
• Avoid GMOs
• Ecologically, it has a strong and credible regulatory framework behind it
• Want to live and consume more environmentally friendly

Swedish organic products that, according to Business Sweden, are in particularly high demand are:

• Organic confectionery
• Organic snacks
• Organic accessories
• Organic drink

The following companies participated in the seminar:

• Smiling Group
• Fazer Mills (Frebaco)
• Camelina of Sweden
• Arvid Nordquist
• Paulig Foods
• Smakis
• Pernod Ricard
• Moreganic Sourcing

Contact Business Sweden for more information about the eco market in Canada:
Caleb Chapman, Associate - Food, Beverage & Retail Industry Advisor
caleb.chapman@business-sweden.se