2025
8
Canada Natural and Organic Food and Drink Shopper Consumer Report 2025
2025-07-03T10:07:09+00:00
REP9DE05AED_F7F2_4457_BF62_05FFAA28DBBD
4995
184291
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Report
en_GB
Consumer interest in natural and organic foods returned to 2021 levels after softening in 2023, when rising food inflation likely dampened purchasing habits. While this is promising for the industry,…

Canada Natural and Organic Food and Drink Shopper Consumer Report 2025

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Consumer interest in natural and organic foods returned to 2021 levels after softening in 2023, when rising food inflation likely dampened purchasing habits. While this is promising for the industry, there remains opportunity to strengthen the reputation of natural and organic products in Canada. By emphasizing their unique advantages and addressing perceived weaknesses, these categories can further solidify their appeal.

This report offers a detailed analysis of what resonates – and what doesn’t – with Canadian consumers regarding natural and organic foods. It also provides actionable insights for companies looking to refine their communication strategies and improve product development by keeping consumer preferences at the forefront.

In addition to broader market context, the report explores consumer behaviours and attitudes toward natural and organic products across various demographic groups. It includes data and analysis segmented by generation, parental status, and region to highlight nuanced differences in priorities, enabling businesses to craft more targeted strategies. To help inspire innovation, the report also showcases recent product launches, alongside detailed consumer feedback, offering a comprehensive view of the market landscape and opportunities for growth.

This report looks at the following areas:

  • Analysis of reported purchase behaviour for natural and organic foods and beverages, including perceived changes.
  • Exploration of consumers’ associations with natural, organic, and mainstream food and drink products.
  • A review of the claims that encourage purchase decisions.
  • A list of product categories where natural and organic claims have more and less influence.
  • Examination of consumer attitudes, including general perceptions, trust levels, and barriers to adopting natural or organic foods and drinks.
  • Detailed breakdown of consumer feedback by select demographics, such as generation, parental status, and region.
  • Overview of natural and organic product launches within the Canadian market.

Many consumers are open to natural and organic products, but their value must be clearly communicated to effectively address perceived challenges.

Joel Gregoire, Associate Director of Food & Drink Reports

Market Definitions

For the purposes of this Report, Mintel has asked consumers about their behaviours and attitudes towards foods and drinks they perceive to be:

  • Natural products (ie “All-natural” or “Made with Natural Ingredients”)
  • Organic products
  • Traditional/mainstream products (eg products that don’t specify natural or organic on package)
Collapse All
  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • What you need to know
    • Market predictions
    • Opportunities
    • What consumers want & why
  2. THE MARKET

    • Market drivers
    • Food prices are (once again) on the rise
    • Graph 1: annual change in CPI and retail food prices by month, 2019-25
    • Concern over food and drink prices decline, even as they rise
    • Graph 2: affected by food prices and stock shortages over the past two months, 2023-25
    • While rising prices remain the top concern for Canadians, sustainability should not be overlooked
    • Graph 3: issues Canadians are very concerned about, 2025
    • Most consumers are concerned about tariffs affecting food and drink, and particularly produce
    • Graph 4: tariff concerns by category (very concerned), 2025
    • US trade tensions make buying Canadian products more important
    • Will MAHA bolster the prospects for organic and natural food and drinks?
    • The importance of natural and organic foods is comparable to other predominantly English-speaking countries
    • Graph 5: most important factors when shopping for food across select countries, 2025
    • Front-of-package labelling is on the way, but its impact on natural and organic product use remains to be seen
  3. CONSUMER INSIGHTS

    • Consumer fast facts
    • Purchase behaviour and natural/organic products
    • Taste and price make a winning recipe for foods and drinks
    • Graph 6: most important considerations when choosing food and drinks (select up to five), 2025
    • Many Canadians prefer natural over organic foods and drinks
    • Graph 7: types of food and beverages typically purchased, 2025
    • Organic and natural food consumers prioritize similar considerations
    • Graph 8: most important considerations when choosing food and drink (select up to five), by types of food and beverages typically purchased, 2025
    • Natural and organic food and drink usage rebounds as food inflation normalizes
    • Graph 9: types of food and beverages typically purchased, natural and organic, 2021, 2023 and 2025
    • Natural and organic food shoppers often stick to their purchasing habits
    • Graph 10: change in food/beverage purchases with natural claims vs last year, 2025
    • Graph 11: change in organic food/beverage purchases vs last year, 2025
    • Associations with different types of food and beverages
    • Organic and natural foods cater to distinct needs
    • Differentiation creates unique opportunities to stand out
    • Graph 12: associations with different types of food and drink products, March 2025
    • Associations with organic/natural foods – takeaways
    • Eliminating unwanted ingredients drives usage of organic/natural products
    • Graph 13: factors that encourage consumers to purchase natural or organic foods/drinks over mainstream products (select up to three), 2025
    • Eliminating unwanted ingredients drives usage of organic/natural products
    • Prioritizing value is key to driving market penetration
    • Graph 14: factors that most discourage consumers from purchasing natural or organic foods/drinks over mainstream products (select up to three), 2025
    • Reasons for avoiding natural or organic options shift based on consumer preferences
    • Graph 15: factors that most discourage consumers from purchasing natural or organic foods/drinks over mainstream products, by types of food and beverages typically purchased, 2025
    • Claims and attributes that resonate
    • Emphasize practical needs to make natural and organic products more relatable
    • Graph 16: claims/attributes that most encourage consumers to choose certain foods over others (select up to five), 2025
    • Key takeaways on claims and attributes that resonate with consumers
    • Consumers of natural and organic foods are aligned in adjacent areas
    • Graph 17: claims or attributes that most encourage consumers to choose certain foods over others (select up to five), by types of food and beverages typically purchased, 2025
    • Attitudes toward natural/organic and purchase behaviours
    • Is natural/organic branding the right fit?
    • Graph 18: attitudes toward natural/organic foods and drinks and purchase behaviours, 2025
    • Fresh food categories offer opportunity for the best returns when it comes to natural and organic positioning
    • Graph 19: categories where natural/organic claims are most likely to influence purchases, 2025
    • Purchase behaviour takeaways
    • Trust in natural/organic foods and drinks
    • Trust is a hurdle when it comes to organic or natural claims in packaged foods
    • Graph 20: attitudes toward trust in natural/organic foods and drinks, 2025
    • Opportunity exists to educate
    • Takeaways on trust in natural/organic foods and drinks
    • Perceptions of natural/organic foods
    • Spoilage remains a common concern with natural and organic foods
    • Graph 21: attitudes toward perceptions of natural/organic foods and drinks, 2025
    • Boast strengths, or defend weaknesses?
    • Natural/organic foods and drinks and generations
    • Natural/organic foods and drinks and generations – key takeaways
    • Younger generations are more likely to turn to organic foods and drinks
    • Graph 22: types of food and beverages typically purchased, by generation, 2025
    • Younger generations are more likely to turn to organic foods and drinks
    • Gen Z is key in growing natural foods’ adoption
    • Graph 23: change in food/beverage purchases with organic claims, by generation, 2025
    • Graph 24: change in food/beverage purchases with natural claims, by generation, 2025
    • Different factors shape Boomers’ and Gen Z’s choices in natural and organic foods
    • Graph 25: factors that encourage consumers to purchase natural or organic foods/drinks over mainstream products (select up to three), by generation, 2025
    • Focus on value to grow usage, regardless of generation
    • Graph 26: factors that most discourage consumers from purchasing natural or organic foods/drinks over mainstream products (select up to three), by generation, 2025
    • Tailor messaging to connect with younger and older generations
    • Graph 27: claims/attributes that most encourage consumers to choose certain foods over others (select up to five), by generation, 2025
    • Boomers prioritize produce when considering natural and organic claims
    • Graph 28: categories where natural/organic claims are most likely to influence purchases, by generation 2025
    • Gen Zs and Millennials are more likely to assign value to natural and organic foods
    • Graph 29: attitudes toward natural/organic foods and value (any agree), by generation, 2025
    • Natural/organic foods and drinks and parents
    • Natural/organic foods and drinks and parents – key takeaways
    • Fun, portability and ethics have a greater impact on parents’ food choices
    • Graph 30: most important considerations when choosing food and drink (select up to five), by parental status, 2025
    • Parents prioritize natural and organic food and beverages
    • Graph 31: types of food and beverages Canadians typically purchase, by parental status, 2025
    • Improving taste perceptions represents an opportunity for organic and natural foods
    • Graph 32: factors that most discourage consumers from purchasing natural or organic foods/drinks over mainstream products (select up to three), by parental status, 2025
    • Parents are more influenced by ethical claims
    • Graph 33: claims/attributes that most encourage consumers to choose certain foods over others (select up to five), by parental status, 2025
    • Parents’ preference for natural and organic food and beverages expands across more categories
    • Graph 34: categories where natural/organic claims are most likely to influence purchases, by parental status, 2025
    • Organic and natural claims have a stronger impact on parents’ purchasing decisions
    • Graph 35: attitudes toward influence of organic/natural food and drinks (any agree), by parental status, 2025
    • Natural/organic foods and drinks and regions
    • Natural/organic foods and drinks and regions – key takeaways
    • Convenience takes a backseat to freshness in Quebec
    • Graph 36: most important considerations when choosing food and drink (select up to five), by region, 2025
    • Organics resonate most with British Columbians, and less so with Quebecers
    • Graph 37: types of food and beverages Canadians typically purchase, by region, 2025
    • Quebecers are more likely to respond to concrete claims
    • Graph 38: claims/attributes that most encourage consumers to choose certain foods over others (select up to five), by region, 2025
    • Natural and organic categories vary in appeal across regions
    • Graph 39: categories where natural/organic claims are most likely to influence purchases, by region, 2025
    • Organics are a tougher sell with Prairie consumers
    • Graph 40: attitudes toward natural/organic foods or drinks and purchase behaviours (any agree), by region, 2025
  4. COMPETITIVE STRATEGIES

    • Launch activity and innovation
    • Natural ingredient claims are rising, while organic claims remain steady
    • Graph 41: percent of food and drink product launches with natural or organic ingredient claims, 2020-24
    • Natural ingredients in snacks have stronger appeal versus other categories
    • Graph 42: distribution of product launches with natural ingredient claims by category (top 10), 2024
    • Graph 43: distribution of product launches with organic ingredient claims by category (top 10), 2024
    • Organic product launches
    • The success of products depends on more than just their organic or natural appeal
    • Guilt-free snacking that tastes great
    • Bright colours, bigger appeal for organic snacks
    • Organic desserts must deliver on indulgence
    • Organic meal solutions should inspire creativity, not limit it
    • Organic ingredients and components can add flair to meals and snacks
    • Near endless possibilities for organic beverages
    • Organic condiments and sauces help elevate meals
    • Natural product launches
    • Salty snacks and natural positioning can also be a natural fit
    • Sweet treats can leverage natural positioning across a range of formats
    • Natural positioning can elevate simple products across meal occasions
    • Natural beverages that enhance
    • Opportunities
    • Is flavour a missing attribute in organic positioning?
    • Educating consumers is foundational to growing usage of organics
    • Differences between natural and organic
    • Can organic be equated with simpler living and mindfulness?
    • Leveraging immersive tech to communicate organics’ benefits
    • Banners promoting natural food and drinks can help make the space more mainstream
    • Can concerns over ultra-processed foods benefit natural and organic offerings?
    • From certain perspectives, organics can be viewed as less sustainable
    • Tech advances can help producers grow organic foods more efficiently
  5. APPENDIX

    • Market definition
    • Consumer research methodology
    • Correspondence analysis methodology
    • Generations
    • Abbreviations and terms

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