What OCIA International does

OCIA International is a member-owned nonprofit organic certification agency founded in 1985 and headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. It certifies crop producers, livestock operators, processors/handlers, wild crop harvesters, and specialized operations (apiary, maple syrup) across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. The organization is accredited under the USDA National Organic Program and maintains equivalency arrangements with Canada COR, the EU, and the UK, enabling certified operators to access international organic markets. The Cornucopia Institute has consistently rated OCIA as an exemplary certifier, the highest available qualification.

OCIA operates a web-based certification management platform comprising an online application portal, Organic System Plan (OSP) submission modules, and transaction certificate tracking systems, with scope-specific forms for Crops, Livestock, Handling/Processing, Wild Crops, Apiary, and Maple Syrup across regional variants for U.S., Canadian, Mexican, and Latin American operators. Certification coordinators provide direct support throughout the application, inspection, and renewal process, supplemented by local OCIA chapters and on-farm educational field days. The organization serves as Plains Regional Lead for the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), a $100 million federal initiative over five years for transitioning organic farmers.

Revenue is generated through recurring annual certification fees, with most operations paying less than $2,000 per year and average costs around $1,200; U.S. operators are eligible for the USDA Cost-Share Program, which reimburses up to 75% or $750 per scope. The member-owned non-profit structure reinvests revenue into research, education, micro-grants, scholarships, and a Farmer of the Year program. Marketing is conducted via website content, social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube), tradeshows, conferences, and on-farm field days. Following the March 2024 implementation of USDA's Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rule, OCIA updated its certification requirements to comply with expanded federal enforcement standards.

Name

OCIA International

Legal name

OCIA International

Website

https://ocia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

OCIA International is a member-owned nonprofit organic certification agency founded in 1985, certifying crop, livestock, processing, wild crop, apiary, and maple syrup operations across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Latin America under USDA NOP accreditation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Organic Certification Services

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Organic Certification Services (AFALAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food Safety & Quality Scheme Certifications (GFSI Programs) (AFALAMAI), Supplier Approval, Verification & Food Safety Risk Management (GFSI-aligned) (AFALADAH), Regulatory Compliance, Permitting & Audit Readiness (Food Safety, Environmental, Labor) (AFACAJAE)

Keywords

• Organic certification services
• USDA NOP certification
• Organic farm compliance
• Organic product certification
• Agricultural certification agency

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincoln

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Organic Certification Fees: OCIA International generates revenue through certification fees charged to operators seeking organic certification. Fees vary by operation scope with most operations paying less than $2,000 annually and average costs around $1,200. The organization is a member-owned non-profit.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

OCIA International provides organic certification services for agricultural operations across multiple scopes including Crops, Livestock, Handling/Processing, Wild Crops, Apiary, and Maple Syrup. The certification process is supported by an online application portal, Organic System Plan (OSP) management tools, and direct support from certification coordinators. The organization serves operators in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Latin America with region-specific compliance modules under USDA NOP, Canada COR, EU, and UK equivalency programs.

Product overview

OCIA International offers organic certification services through a comprehensive platform that provides certification across four primary scopes (Crops, Livestock, Processing/Handling, and Wild Crops) along with two specialized scopes (Apiary and Maple Syrup Production). The certification process is supported by an Organic System Plan (OSP) management system where operators complete various modules and checklists specific to their operation type. The platform is accessible via online accounts where operators can complete certification applications, submit supporting documents, and track their certification status. Services are offered across multiple countries including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Nicaragua, and Guatemala with region-specific application forms and compliance requirements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Crop Production Certification Certification for cultivated crops including corn, soybeans, oranges, alfalfa, potatoes, coffee, and greenhouse crops, with detailed requirements for seed sourcing, soil management, pest control, and recordkeeping. For crop producers seeking to verify organic farming methods.
• Livestock Certification Certification for dairy farms, poultry, pigs, and other livestock raised following organic practices, covering animal health care, pasture management, and non-pasture feed sources. For livestock operators seeking organic verification.
• Handling/Processing Certification Certification for processing operations including packaging, transporting, butchering, and baking activities that alter the form of organic products, requiring clean-down procedures, transportation records, and ingredient sourcing documentation. For processors and handlers of organic products.
• Wild Crop Certification Certification for operations harvesting uncultivated crops including seaweed, mushrooms, maple syrup, ginseng, and herbs, requiring documentation of harvest areas and habitat preservation plans. For wild harvest operators.
• Apiary Certification Certification for honey production operations covering hive management, feed/forage areas, honey harvest and extraction, and post-harvest handling with materials lists and recordkeeping systems. For beekeepers producing organic honey.
• Maple Syrup Production Certification Certification for maple production operations covering sugar bush management, sap collection, sap to syrup conversion, finished product handling, and storage/transportation. For maple syrup producers.
• Organic System Plan (OSP) Management A comprehensive documentation system required for certification that includes resource management practices, input lists, maps, and scope-specific requirements. The OSP serves as a living document that evolves with the operation, used by certified operators to maintain compliance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Most operations pay less than $2,000 in certification fees annually with average costs around $1,200
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSDA-accredited certification agency operating under the National Organic Program (NOP). OCIA provides organic certification services that comply with USDA organic regulations, enabling operators to market products as USDA Organic.
• The Cornucopia InstituteminorOthersIndependent organic industry watchdog that publishes organic certifier scorecards. Has consistently rated OCIA International as an exemplary certifier—the highest qualification possible.
• Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSDA program investing up to $100 million over five years in cooperative agreements with organizations providing technical assistance for transitioning organic farmers. OCIA serves as Plains Regional Lead, partnering with organizations to provide mentoring, technical assistance, community building, and organic workforce development.
• Acres USAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with OCIA to host TOPP Plains region events including the Intro to Organic Agriculture Field Day at John's Farm in Fairview, Oklahoma, providing educational sessions and networking for prospective organic producers.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• BCS Öko-Garantie: Germany-based organic certification body operating across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Comparable as a multi-jurisdiction organic certifier, though with much broader geographic coverage and additional sustainability certifications.
• ECOCERT: One of the world's largest organic and sustainable certification bodies, headquartered in France with operations globally. Comparable in offering organic and other sustainability certifications, but significantly larger and more internationally diversified than OCIA.
• Control Union Certifications: Global certification and inspection body offering organic (including NOP, EU, JAS) and sustainable certifications across agriculture and textiles. Comparable in offering multi-program organic certification, with significantly broader geographic and category coverage.

Direct peers

• Quality Assurance International (QAI): Major global organic and food safety certifier offering USDA NOP, Canada COR, EU, and other program accreditations. Directly comparable multi-jurisdiction organic certification services, though structured as a for-profit entity with broader international reach.
• Oregon Tilth: USDA-accredited organic certifier providing services across crops, livestock, and handling scopes with a focus on the Pacific Northwest. Directly comparable as a nonprofit certifier serving similar operator profiles in the U.S. organic market.
• Global Organic Alliance (GOA): USDA-accredited organic certification agency providing crop, livestock, and handling certification. Directly comparable nonprofit-style organic certifier with a similar U.S. operator base.
• CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers): One of the oldest and largest USDA-accredited organic certification agencies in the U.S., offering crop, livestock, and handling certification. Directly comparable in scope, mission-driven structure, and target customer base of organic producers and processors.
• OneCert: USDA-accredited organic certifier (formerly a subsidiary of a larger entity) operating in the U.S. and internationally, including in Mexico and Latin America. Comparable multi-scope organic certification services with a similar operator profile.

Emerging players

• CERES (Certification of Environmental Standards): Germany-headquartered organic and sustainable certification body active in the Americas, including the U.S., Mexico, and Latin America. Comparable in providing organic certification with overlap in OCIA's Latin American geographies.

Regional players

• Mayacert: Guatemala-based organic and fair-trade certification body serving Latin American producers, particularly coffee, cocoa, and tropical crops. Comparable in scope and region for OCIA's Central American operator base, with strong specialty crop expertise.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/OCIA_Intl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCOvZAz8cuszT5nw4oXWHtww
• Facebookfacebook.com/ociahome
• Instagraminstagram.com/ocia_international

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about OCIA International