Also an important produce exporter, Nova Scotia’s total agri-food exports were valued at approximately $359 million in 2013, including $100.3 million in blueberry exports.
Ontario
With an abundance of water, fertile farmland throughout the southern region and grassy lowlands across the north, Ontario is an agricultural powerhouse. The province is home to more than 50,000 farms, which generated more than $12 billion in cash receipts for 2013.
A major vegetable producer, Ontario grows a wide range of seasonal commodities from asparagus to zucchini. Top field vegetable earners include mushrooms, sweet corn, tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, onions, asparagus, peppers, pumpkins, squash, and broccoli. The province is also a notable potato producer, with an annual average of 38,000 harvested acres valued at more than $100 million.
Ontario has another claim to fame as well: it is one of North America’s largest producers of greenhouse vegetables with over 2,000 acres devoted to tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. Annual receipts top $300 million for tomatoes, and over $500 million for peppers and cucumbers combined.
The province’s southwestern region offers moderate temperatures, also making it an ideal growing environment for fruit. In the peninsula below the Niagara Escarpment, farmers grow a bounty of wine grapes and stone fruit. Ontario’s major apple producing areas are along the shores of Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Georgian Bay. The lakes’ water temperatures help shield the adjoining land from late spring and early fall frosts, extending the region’s growing season. Top fruit earners include grapes, apples, peaches, strawberries, melons, sour cherries, and pears.
Anthony Agresti, president of ATV Farms Holland Landing, a grower-shipper in Newcastle, says the province’s weather caused a number of challenges in the 2013-14 season. “A few of our key farms lost most of their crop due to flooding,” he explains. While some growers in the area were still recovering from damage, he says things are bouncing back. “This year started off with the lowest market on carrots and onions in years, but now it’s moving up—especially on carrots.”
Quebec
The largest province in Canada, Quebec is home to a thriving agriculture industry. With more than 30,000 farms that generated $8.3 billion in cash receipts in 2013, Quebec’s agricultural sector relies heavily on fruit and vegetable production.
