Farming in Saskatchewan: 21 Facts & Statistics

Farming in Saskatchewan: 21 Facts & Statistics

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Saskatchewan farming facts and statistics redone

Saskatchewan is well known as an agricultural powerhouse. Home to more than 40 per cent of Canada's cultivated farmland and responsible for 20 per cent of its annual agri-food exports [5], the prairie province is recognized as one of the most productive farming regions in the world!

Farming in Saskatchewan produces a wide range of meat, dairy, grain, vegetable and fruit products, which help feed millions of people here at home and across the globe. And with all that farmland comes huge economic benefits. Canada’s "breadbasket" province is a leader in agricultural practices, something that all Canadians can be proud of as we continue to feed our families here at home and around the world.

Tens of thousands of people are employed by the agricultural sector, and many more are indirectly supported by its activities, so it is easy to see why farming is so important to local families and the province at large. Saskatchewan takes tremendous pride in its AG sector, as seen in the wheat symbolism used in its coat of arms and the golden colour of the flag, representing the vital importance of its farmers.

To give you an idea of how important agriculture is to the province and Canada in general, here are several facts on farming in Saskatchewan for you to check out. Also see:

Saskatchewan is home to 40 percent of Canada's cultivated farmland

21 Facts on Farming in Saskatchewan

#1 - Saskatchewan’s agriculture exports were the largest ever on record in 2023, at $20.2 billion – approximately 10% higher than the previous record of $18.5 billion set in 2022 [1]

#2 - Agri-food exports represented more than 41% of Saskatchewan’s exports in 2023, valued at $49.2 billion [5]

#3 - Saskatchewan remains one of Canada’s leading agri-food exporters, with a global reputation as a reliable supplier of safe, high-quality, well-produced agri-food products [5]

#4 – Saskatchewan agricultural exports have increased 74% since 2013, accounting for 40% of total provincial exports in 2023 [1]

#5 - The top ten recipients of agri-food exports from Saskatchewan in 2023 include [4]:

  • United States: $6.7 billion
    • China: $4.3 billion
    • Japan: $987 million
    • Mexico: $920 million
    • Algeria: $765 million
    • India: $708 million
    • Morocco: $493 million
    • Italy: $455 million
    • Indonesia: $425 million
    • Turkey: $407 million

#6 - In 2023, Saskatchewan exported approximately (by value) [4]:

  • 56% of the world's canary seed exports
    • 34% of the world's lentil exports
    • 30% of the world's durum exports
    • 26% of the world's dry pea exports
    • 24% of the world's mustard seed exports
    • 22% of the world's oat exports
    • 20% of the world's canola meal exports
    • 17% of the world's canola oil exports
    • 16% of the world's canola seed exports
    • 10% of the world's flaxseed exports
    • 10% of the world's chickpea exports
    • 6% of the world's rye exports
    • 5% of the world's non-durum wheat exports
    • 4% of the world's barley exports

#7 - In 2023, Saskatchewan produced [4]:

  • 91% of Canada's lentils
    • 87% of Canada's chickpeas
    • 82% of Canada's flaxseed
    • 80% of Canada's durum
    • 76% of Canada's mustard
    • 53% of Canada's canola
    • 49% of Canada's dry peas
    • 44% of Canada's non-durum wheat
    • 39% of Canada's oats

#8 - In 2023, Saskatchewan accounted for (by value) [4]:

  • 91% of Canada's chickpea exports
    • 88% of Canada's lentil exports
    • 84% of Canada's flaxseed exports
    • 81% of Canada's durum exports
    • 70% of Canada's canary seed exports
    • 67% of Canada's dry pea exports
    • 59% of Canada's mustard exports
    • 53% of Canada's canola seed exports
    • 52% of Canada's barley exports
    • 51% of Canada's oat exports
    • 50% of Canada's canola oil exports
    • 41% of Canada's canola meal exports
    • 40% of Canada's non-durum wheat exports
    • 29% of Canada's rye exports

#9 - The top Saskatchewan agri-food exports to the world in 2023, include:

  • Non-durum wheat
  • Canola oil
  • Canola seed
  • Durum
  • Lentils
  • Canola meal
  • Peas
  • Barley
  • Oats
  • Chickpeas
  • Cereal grains (hulled, rolled, flaked)
  • Live cattle
  • Flaxseed
  • Malt
  • Canary seed

#10 - Saskatchewan was the leading global exporter of the following commodities in 2023 (by value): dry peas, lentils, durum, canola oil, canary seed, mustard, and oats [1]

Saskatchewan is home to 34,500 farms, and is known as the breafdbasket of Canada

#11 - Saskatchewan has already surpassed its Growth Plan 2030 target of $20 billion in agri-food exports, with shipments totalling $20.2 billion 2023 [2]

#12 - The value-added processing and agriculture sectors are major components of Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan goals, which include increasing crop production to 45 million tonnes, agriculture exports to $20 billion, and value-added revenue to $10 billion by 2030 [5]

#13 - Saskatchewan has five International Trade Offices in the Indo-Pacific Region that support the province’s efforts to promote its agri-food exports in China, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, and India [2]

#14 – Saskatchewan’s 78 hog producers sell more than two million hogs annually [1]

#15 – Saskatchewan is home to the second-largest beef cattle herd in Canada, exporting $208 million worth of live cattle in 2023 [1]

#16 - In 2023, Saskatchewan seeded more than 7 million hectares of cereal grains to produce more than 18.6 million tonnes [1]

#17 – Saskatchewan exported $6.9 billion in cereal grains in 2023, accounting for nearly 53% of the province’s total agri-food exports by volume that year [1]

#18 – Saskatchewan exported $3.3 billion in oilseeds (mostly flaxseed and canola seed) to 65 different countries in 2023 [1]

#19 – Saskatchewan exported $3.2 billion worth of pulses to buyers abroad in 2023 [1]

#20 - Saskatchewan is a world-leading producer of many specialty crops like mustard seed, exporting $162 million worth in 2023 [1]

#21 – Overall, Saskatchewan’s agricultural exports have grown by 74% since 2013, accounting for 40% of total provincial exports in 2023 [1]

Saskatchewan accounts for nearly a quarter of Canada's agri-food exports

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If we doubled our natural resources exports, think of the jobs and societal benefits we could create for every Canadian family.

SOURCES:

1 - https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-and-industry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers/saskatchewan-import-and-export-information/resources-for-importers/agriculture-sector-overview

2 - https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2024/may/15/saskatchewan-agri-food-exports-to-indo-pacific-region-surpasses-$7-billion#:~:text=Saskatchewan%20has%20already%20surpassed%20its,cent%20over%20the%20previous%20year.

3 - file:///D:/WORK%20GRAPHICS%20VIDEOS/CANADA%20ACTION/June%201%20June%2015,%202024/BLOG%20-%20Saskatchewan%20Farming%20Facts%20Redone%202024/SaskAgExports2022.pdf

4 - https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-and-industry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers/saskatchewan-import-and-export-information/resources-for-importers/trade-statistics

5 - https://pubsaskdev.blob.core.windows.net/pubsask-prod/144246/SaskAgExports2023.pdf