More than 165 partner groups have been working since 2020 to come up with a series of metrics to evaluate sustainability in Canada’s agri-food sector.
It is no easy task. First, the group had to determine what ‘sustainability’ means and then decide how performance can reasonably be measured. The coalition is focusing on four sustainability priorities:
- The environment
- Food integrity
- Economic factors
- Societal well-being
Representatives from the partner groups have worked together over the past few years to hammer out 130 different metrics that measure things like soil health, water stewardship, packaging, food safety and traceability, financial viability, animal care standards and working conditions for people.
The first Index was released as a pilot in 2023. Since then, the coalition has continued refining and expanding the metrics and indicators that comprise the Index. As well, in 2024, the Centre for Agri-Food Benchmarking was established, putting in place an organization that will continue this work into the future and continue to update, improve and communicate these results.
In November 2025, the Centre released Index 2.0, which shares the most recent national data and identifies gaps and methodological limitations that will guide future reporting.
Key findings from the 2025 Update
- Environment: GHG emissions have stayed flat for several years, soil health indicators continue to improve, and water quality remains strong; however, methane emissions are trending upward, and rising water use signals future stress risks.
- Economic: The agriculture and agri-food sector’s contributions to the Canadian economy are steady but strained. GDP output is up, yet the sector’s share of the economy is slightly lower. Rising farm debt ratios and declining R&D investment raise concerns about the sector’s long-term competitiveness and capacity for innovation.
- Food Integrity: Food security is worsening, with one in four Canadians experiencing food insecurity in 2023, underscoring affordability as a pressing social and policy challenge.
- Societal Well-Being: Social indicators are mixed – while fatality rates are falling and wages are rising, mental health stress, inclusion gaps, and temporary foreign worker non-compliance highlight ongoing vulnerabilities facing the sector.
Source: Centre for Agri-Food Benchmarking newsletter, November 26, 2025
“Taken together, these findings show that Canada’s agri-food system is making measurable progress in several areas but faces real challenges that must be addressed to remain competitive and resilient,” said Amanda Richardson, Executive Director of the Centre for Agri-Food Benchmarking & National Index on Agri-Food Performance.
“The Index is not a scorecard of perfection — it is a tool for candid assessment, shared accountability, and informed action. By highlighting both strengths and weaknesses, and by pointing to where better data are needed, the Index helps create a roadmap for continuous improvement,” she added.
Penny Eaton represents Canadian Food Focus as part of the Communications Committee for the National Index for Agri-Food Performance.
Find out more: https://www.agrifoodindex.ca/