Grow me the money

Did you know primary agriculture is responsible for over 82,000 jobs in Alberta? Surprised? The agrifood sector – that’s agriculture as well as food and beverage manufacturing – is a major contributor to our provincial wealth and well being. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening right here in your own backyard.

On the farm

• There are just over 59,007 farms in Alberta – 21.3% of all farms in Canada.
• At $6.6 billion in farm cash receipts in 1999, Alberta is the second top producing province in Canada (22% of national farm cash receipts).

Alberta produces:

• 50% of Canada’s beef
• 35% of Canada’s barley
• 34% of Canada’s canola
• 30% of Canada’s wheat
• 14% of Canada’s hogs
• 97% of Canada’s sugar beets
• 30% of Canada’s honey

Value added for added profit

• Over 500 companies do business in Alberta’s food and beverage manufacturing industry.
• This sector accounts for 19,000 jobs, and is Alberta’s largest manufacturing sector.
• Edmonton and Calgary rank 4th and 11th of 64 cities in G7 countries for establishing new food manufacturing facilities.
• Alberta’s food and beverage manufacturing sector has annual sales of $7.8 billion.
• $5 billion of Alberta’s agriculture commodities and products are exported each year to the U.S., China, Japan, Mexico, Iran and over 120 other countries.

Retail soars

• 46,000 Albertans are employed in the food distribution and food retailing sectors.
• Alberta has over 1,800 food retail outlets that generate over $6 billion in annual sales.
• Albertans spend only 10% of total income on food.

Alberta’s Food and Beverage Industry

Shipments – % Share by Food Groups (1998 Preliminary)

Meat & Meat Products* 46.6%
Fruits & Vegetables 2%
Dairy 8.6%
Beverages 9.1%
Feed 6.7%
Other Foods** 27%

* Alberta is the largest processor of beef products in Canada.

** Other food products include canola oil and meal, feed products, flour, cereal foods, fish products, bakery items, sugar, pasta, etc.