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The Western Expanse

Detailing this vast region’s rampant growth, with insight from buyers and sellers
MS_The Western Expanse

“We have a thriving greenhouse industry in both southern Alberta and the lower mainland of Vancouver that has been a supplier both in Western Canada and into the United States,” explains Karwacki. Most of the greenhouses grow the usual fare (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers), but on a much smaller scale Alberta greenhouses also produce lettuce, arugula, basil, eggplant, and snap beans.

“We [at Star Produce] just opened a new lettuce greenhouse in southern Alberta with an innovative lettuce product,” shares Karwacki. “It’s a living lettuce product with three types of lettuce in one head.” He says the greenhouse holds two-and-a-half hectares of the unique leafy greens.

Alberta is also a top agri-food exporter for Canada, with exports of processed products valued at nearly $10.0 billion in 2016, comprised of a range of value-added items though only a portion are produce-related, like potato products.

When it comes to shipments leaving the province, Hinchey says trucking is the primary mode of transportation. “Alberta employs the largest number of truckers within Canada, and this is en route to grow,” he says.

This is backed up by solid numbers as Alberta accounts for a quarter of the total heavy truck population in Canada. Un-fortunately, the province’s trucking industry like many elsewhere in Canada and the United States, is currently facing a crisis—a severe shortage of drivers—predicted to reach as high as 33,000 or more by 2020.

Saskatchewan
One of the three Prairie Provinces, Saskatchewan borders Alberta to its west and the United States to its south. The province’s population has seen a significant growth spurt in recent years—the second-fastest rate in Canada between 2011 and 2016.

Saskatchewan is a major producer of Saskatoon berries, with an estimated 1,100 acres of the juicy fruit, accounting for more than 34 percent of Canada’s commercial acreage.

Saskatchewan also produces apples and cherries, and strawberry and raspberry production continues to rise. Total farm gate value for fruit production in the province reached $1.2 million in 2016.

Vegetable production is climbing too: in 2016, total farm gate value for field vegetables grown in the province reached nearly $2.6 million. “Agriculture in the Prairie Provinces is strongly expanding, and we continue diversifying crops,” says Hinchey, with both trending items and old favorites being planted. “Commodities such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and beets are being grown in larger quantities.”

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