Taking action in support of our vital natural resource sector

Agriculture has been intertwined with humanity’s existence throughout our history. For thousands of years, we have relied on agricultural practices to feed our families and societies at large, and today, nothing has changed.

Fortunately for Canadians, our vast country is home to some of the most fertile farming land in the world. We are also blessed with an abundance of coastlines that produce world-class seafood. If you are consuming pulses, lobster or canola somewhere in the world, there is a good chance it came from Canadian and Indigenous farmers or fishermen.

And, our agricultural workers are known to care deeply for the environment, utilizing various state-of-the-art methods and techniques to preserve water and wildlife, and reduce emissions.

Here is our latest Canadian agriculture infographic loaded with fun facts, figures and more. Feel free to download and share it.  Also see:

• Canadian Forestry Infographic
• Canadian Mining Infographic

Canadian Agriculture is World-Class

Facts on Canadian Agri-Food System (primary agriculture, food & beverage processors, food retailers and wholesalers, foodservice providers)

• Jobs: 2.3 million people, or 1 in 9 jobs in Canada
• Livelihoods: 1 in 9 jobs in Canada
• Economy: $143.8 billion, or 7% of Canada’s GDP
• Exports: nearly 200 countries in 2022

Source: Agriculture Canada

Canadian Agriculture Feeds the World

• 189,874 farms – Canada is home to nearly 190,000 farms across the country
• 6.2% - Farms cover 62.2 million hectares – or 6.2% of Canada’s land surface area
• 5th – Canada is the fifth-largest exporter of agri-food and seafood in the world, behind the EU-27, U.S., Brazil, and China
• $92.8 billion – In 2022, Canada exported nearly $92.8 billion in agriculture and food products.

Source: Agriculture Canada

Canadian Farming Is Sustainable

Canada’s agriculture and agri-foods sector is a global leader in sustainability via emissions reductions and low-impact farming methods

• -10% - Since 1981, agricultural emissions in Canada have dropped by 10%, primarily a result of beneficial management practices
• -24% - Between 1990 and 2019, the carbon footprint of milk produced by Canadian farmers dropped 24% on a per-litre basis
• -71% – Between 1981 and 2011, Canadian canola farmers reduced their total GHG emissions by 71%
• 11 million – Using low- and no-till practices, Canadian farmers sequester 11 million tonnes of GHG emissions every year

Sources: Dairy Farmers of Canada, Canadian Canola Growers Association, CISION Newswire

Indigenous Communities & Farming in Canada

Canada’s agriculture sector is becoming increasingly important for Indigenous Peoples in Canada as the years pass by.

Metis remained the largest group among the Indigenous farm population in 2021, accounting for over two-thirds (67.2%) of the total. The second-highest group was First Nations, who made up 28.9% of the Indigenous farm population.

• 16,705 – In 2021, 2.8% (16,705) of Canada’s farm population self-identified as Indigenous, up from 2.3% in 2001.
• 3,940 – Most of the 3,940 agricultural operators in Canada who self-identify as Metis are found in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Source: Statistics Canada

The World Needs More Canadian Agriculture

• 70% - Global food demand is projected to grow 70% between 2005/07 and 2050, as the world’s population grows to approximately 9.1 billion.

Let’s support Canada’s world-class agriculture and agri-food sector & the hard-working Canadians who make the industry what it is!

Source: Michigan State University – Feeding the World in 2050 and Beyond

Join Us Today!

Learn more about Canada's world-class farming and agriculture sector by joining us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube -- join hundreds of thousands of Canadians in balanced, fact-based and non-partisan discussions today!

A growing global population needs more Canadian food! #ThankAFarmer pic.twitter.com/bkoFe9qaQR

— Canada Action (@CanadaAction) August 27, 2023