Agriculture Industry in Canada

Food is essential to our survival and provides the nutrients we need to grow, stay active, and stay healthy. It is also our medicine, bringing people together to celebrate, mourn, connect, and communicate. In a very real sense, food is a universal language. For Canada, the agriculture industry is all that, and more.

Canada is lucky to be one of the few countries globally that grows more food than it needs. As a result, Canadians can afford to export massive amounts of food to buyers abroad who aren't as fortunate as we are. As the world's second-largest country, we are blessed with vast, fertile farmland from coast to coast. Our prairies, for example, are among the world's most productive farming regions.

Thanks to Canadian farmers, millions of families in Canada and elsewhere abroad have access to an abundant supply of nutritious food. Without Canada’s prolific agricultural sector, the world would be a much hungrier place.

Top Agriculture Blogs & Articles

Canada’s USD 20 Billion Springtime Agricultural Megaproject (VIDEO) Chicken Farming in Canada: 15 Facts & Statistics 5 BIG Reasons Why Agriculture Makes Canada Stronger What are Canada’s Top Agricultural Exports? Lobster Fishing in Canada: 18 Facts Canola Farming in Canada: 20 Facts & Statistics Wheat Farming in Canada: 16 Facts, History & More Farming in Canada: The Facts (40 Infographics) Natural Gas, Fertilizer & Food Security: Canada's Opportunity Honeybees in Canada: 25 Facts See all of Canada Action's “agriculture” related blogs today!

Canada's Agriculture Industry: A Part of Canadian Identity

The Canadian agriculture sector isn’t just a critically important part of our national economy; it’s a way of life for countless families from coast to coast. Canada’s entire agri-food system – from the farm to the manufacturer to the retail restaurant – employs an incredible 2.3 million people, providing 1 in 9 jobs nationwide ^[1]. It generates $150 billion in economic activity for Canadians annually, about 7% of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Today, Canada is the 8th-largest global exporter of agricultural goods behind the United States, Brazil, the Netherlands, Germany, China, France, and Spain. Annually, Canada exports food products to ~200+ countries globally ^[1] – basically, the entire world. In other words, our contribution to domestic and international food security is essential and irreplaceable in many respects.

The World Needs More Canadian Agriculture

With Canada’s vast, productive farmlands in almost every corner of the country, we have the capacity to do more. As the world’s population approaches 10 billion by 2050, demand for Canadian-made agricultural products will only grow.

Canada must have the necessary support in place for the agriculture industry to help our country meet the growing food demand here at home and abroad. This includes building new ports, railways, roads, and other critical trade infrastructure that will help us diversify our AG markets and maximize the value of our natural resources. It also includes supporting the development of new technology and innovation that will help increase crop yields, expand production capacities, and ensure our farms are adequately staffed, among other initiatives.

A thriving agriculture and agri-food sector is what Canadians need to support a prosperous and food-secure future for our country – and the world.

Canadian Agriculture: Quick Facts

Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industry employed 2.3 million people in 2023, accounting for 1 in 9 jobs across Canada ^[1]
The entire food system generated $150 billion of Canada’s GDP in 2023 ^[1]
Canada is home to 189,874 farms, which cover 62.2 million hectares of land – or 6.2% of Canada’s total land surface area ^[1]
A majority of Canadian farms are concentrated across the Prairies, Quebec and Southern Ontario ^[1]
Canada’s food and beverage processing sector is the largest manufacturing sector in Canada in terms of both GDP and employment, accounting for:
- 16.5% of manufacturing GDP
- 17.8% of manufacturing jobs
Canada exported nearly $99.1 billion in agriculture and food products in 2023, ranking as the world’s eighth-largest exporter of agri-food, fish, and seafood products ^[1]
Canada plays a big role in helping to feed the entire world; in 2023, it exported agricultural products to more than 200 countries ^[1]
The United States is Canada’s top agricultural trading partner, accounting for 60% of our agri-food exports and more than 50% of our imports ^[1]
Canadians spent $198 billion on food, beverage, tobacco and cannabis products in 2023, representing the third-largest household expenditure after shelter and transportation ^[1]
About 10% of the world’s population lacked enough food as of 2023. With the global population likely to add another billion people over the next two decades and incomes rising, total food consumption could rise by more than 50%, and possibly by 70% by 2050 ^[2].
Canada ranks at the top in the world for safe food production and distribution throughout the food supply chain ^[3]
Without modern farming practices, Canadian farmers would need 50% more land to grow the amount of food we do today ^[4]

Supporting Canadian Agriculture Families

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Canada Action's agriculture advocacy - or “Agvocacy” - promotes public and government support for farmers in many ways, including:

Recognizing the role and accomplishments of farmers for the economy at large
Supporting the continued competitiveness of Canadian agricultural products in a world market
Encouraging investments that support improvements in Canadian agricultural production
Promoting balanced, fact-based, and non-partisan discussions about the agriculture sector, highlighting Canada’s integral role in underpinning global food security

Agriculture in Canada is an integral part of the Canadian community and economy, supporting millions of families nationwide. As global demand for food grows each year, we must continue to support agricultural innovation and growth in Canada.

Canadian farmers feed not just our families, but the world! They support us – it’s time we support them as well!

Canadian Agriculture Sector: FAQ

What are the top 5 agricultural products in Canada?

Canada’s top agricultural products include canola, wheat, dairy, cattle, and hogs, which accounted for the largest farm cash receipts on average across all provinces and territories between 2020 and 2024 [1].

What province is best for agriculture in Canada?

Canada is a large country with diverse farming landscapes; therefore, no single province is the absolute best.

Ontario and Quebec, for example, are the best for both vegetable and pork production [1]. Alberta and Saskatchewan are the best for canola, wheat, and other grain-farmed crops, while Atlantic Canada is a key lowbush blueberry and potato farming region.

British Columbia is a major mushroom, cranberry, and blueberry grower, and has a flourishing greenhouse industry [5].

Where are the most farms located in Canada?

Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta are home to the most farms in Canada, accounting for 82.3% of total farm area and 47.5% of total farms in 2021 [5].

That’s because these prairie provinces have abundant, expansive fertile farmland stretching as far as the eye can see.

What is the biggest crop grown in Canada?

Wheat, canola, soybeans, and flax are among Canada’s largest crops every year, contributing tens of billions of dollars to the national GDP on an annual basis [6].

Does Canada have more farms than the United States?

No. Canada has significantly fewer farms than the United States. With nearly 190,000 farms in Canada and around 1.86 million farms south of the border, the U.S. has about 10x as many farms as Canada [1][7].

Is Canada important to the global food supply chain?

Yes, Canada is critically important to the world’s food supply, playing a vital role as a top-ten producer and exporter of many agricultural, aquaculture, and agri-food products [1].

For the first time in six years, the Port of Churchill shipped Canadian grain to Europe https://t.co/JGxXd2wpeQ
— Canada Action (@CanadaAction) September 1, 2026