Agriculture

Canada was once a largely rural nation. At the turn of the last century, agriculture employed about 40% of the workforce. That’s no longer the case. Nationally, just under 2% of workers have jobs in this industry. In BC, the industry’s share of total employment is closer to 1%. Although BC’s agriculture industry is small compared to the rest of the economy, it remains an important source of employment in some regions of the province. BC farmers supply many of the inputs used by the province’s food processing industry, one of the largest employers in manufacturing.

What's included in the agriculture industry?

This industry includes establishments that are primarily engaged in growing crops or raising animals. Crop and livestock farms, as well as hatcheries and fish and shellfish²² farms, are part of this industry.

Crop production generated nearly two-thirds of the industry’s GDP in 2008

Also included are various types of services related to crop and animal production, such as soil preparation, planting, harvesting, crop spraying, breeding, pruning and suppliers of farm labour on a contract or fee-for-service basis.

More than a third of the agriculture industry’s GDP originates in the greenhouse, nursery and floriculture industry, while 28% comes from other types of crop production. Animals & animal products account for about a fifth of the industry’s GDP, while aquaculture contributes another 7%. Finally, crop & animal services generated about 10% of the industry’s total GDP in 2008.

A variety of crops, seafood and livestock are raised in BC

A variety of different types of crops, animals, fish and shellfish species are raised in BC. The province has long been known for its tree fruit and berry industry, but the importance of these crops has declined over time as the focus of farming activities in the province has shifted. The production of ginseng, flowers and nursery products has been one of the fastest-growing segments in the industry.

Greenhouses in BC account for a significant percentage of total Canadian production of peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and mushrooms. Some greenhouse operators have expanded their operations to locations in the US.

BC is the country’s biggest producer of blueberries, raspberries and sweet cherries and the second-biggest apple producer, after Ontario. Dairy farms, poultry producers, and other livestock operations play an important role in the province’s agriculture industry, which also includes such diverse activities as beekeeping, ostrich, and Christmas tree farming.

Seventeen percent of farm cash receipts²³ come from sales of floriculture & nursery products

Aquaculture operations are an important component of the industry

The province has been a major player in Canada’s aquaculture industry for many years. In fact, commercial cultivation of Pacific oysters in BC was already occurring nearly a century ago, in 1912. Fish farms produce salmon and trout, as well as several varieties of shellfish, including oysters, clams, scallops, mussels and geoduck. There is also some cultivation of marine plants such as kelp. BC fish and shellfish farming operations supply these products to markets ranging from California to Japan and other parts of Asia.

About 95% of the total value of aquaculture production in the province comes from farmed salmon products. Most of the salmon is exported, with much of it going to the US.

The value of aquaculture production in the province has increased significantly since the early 1990s

What's happened since 1990?

Agriculture is a highly labour-intensive industry, and this is reflected in the relationship between GDP and employment. Less than two percent of the province’s workforce is employed in agriculture, but this is roughly double the industry’s share of total GDP. Agriculture has maintained its share of GDP at a relatively steady level since 1990. Employment has been more volatile.

The industry has held its own in terms of GDP, but employment has been volatile

Mad cow disease and avian flu have hurt BC farmers

The last few years have been difficult ones for BC’s agriculture industry, which has faced some big challenges. In 2003, the discovery of a single case of bovine spongiform encephalitis (BSE, or mad cow disease) in Alberta led to the complete closure of the US export market for Canadian cattle farmers. BC is not a major beef-producing province, but the border closure hurt cattle producers in this province.

The cattle industry was just beginning to recover from the effects of the export ban when livestock producers in BC were hit with another shock: the discovery of birds infected with avian flu in the Fraser Valley. This led to the forced slaughter of poultry flocks in the surrounding area. Although farmers received compensation for the loss of their livestock, the poultry industry suffered a setback in 2004. Cash receipts have since recovered and the industry is back on an upward track.

Mad cow disease and avian flu created major challenges for BC livestock farmers

Other challenges

Livestock diseases aren’t the only challenges the industry has had to cope with. BC farmers have to compete with growers from all over the world. Fruits and vegetables sold in supermarkets are often imported from places like California, Australia, South America and Europe even when they are available from local producers. Similarly, meat products aren’t necessarily produced locally; they can come from as far away as New Zealand or Australia. Packaged fish or seafood sold in BC supermarkets has often been processed in China.

Why do supermarkets import food when they could buy it from local suppliers? They do this because the imports cost less, or because they buy in bulk from big farming operations that can produce the large quantities of fruits and vegetables, or meat and dairy products that they need to stock their shelves. Lower production costs in other parts of the world, cold storage facilities and refrigerated containers make it possible to import fresh produce from all over the world, sometimes for less than what they would cost to purchase locally. Many supermarket chains have fixed contracts with foreign suppliers. Free trade has opened many new markets for BC producers, but it also means that they face more competition.

At the same time, there’s a growing interest on the part of consumers in purchasing locally-grown foods. The “100-mile” diet (which involves purchasing only foods that have been grown within a 100-mile radius of your home) has become very popular in some circles, and this is likely contributing to increased business at farm stands and markets. Vegetable gardens are also coming back in vogue.

Our eating habits are also changing. We’re consuming more poultry, fruit and cream, but less red meat and eggs. Some consumers are concerned about the use of pesticides and techniques like irradiation, and prefer to buy organically raised products. They’ve also developed a taste for fruits and vegetables that can’t be grown in the province and for ethnic foods that may not be available from local producers. Not so long ago, lychee nuts, mangos, pineapples, papayas, and other tropical fruits were somewhat exotic, available at supermarkets for short periods only, if at all. Now, they’re found year-round in many grocery stores.

Farmers are adapting to these changes. They’re finding new ways to get their products to consumers, and focusing more on growing crops or raising livestock that is of higher quality or less costly than those available from other suppliers.

They’re also focusing on areas where they have a comparative advantage. British Columbia is a key supplier of blueberries that are shipped around the world. It’s also a major producer of farmed salmon. Vancouver Island is home to the biggest daffodil farming operation in Canada, and the second biggest in North America. A wine industry has developed in the province. Some farmers have converted their orchards to vineyards and offer tours of their winemaking facilities. Organic farming and greenhouse operations have become more prevalent. Many farmers sell directly to consumers from roadside stands, grow corn mazes, or host special events such as fall festivals and provide farm tours to interested visitors.

What are the most common occupations?

Almost all of the jobs are in occupations specific to farming

Nine out of 10 workers in this industry are in occupations that are specific to farming. Farmers and farm managers make up the biggest number (37%), followed by general farm workers (17%) and nursery & greenhouse workers (13%). About 12% of the people employed in this industry are harvesting labourers, while 21% are in other occupations. These include farm supervisors, livestock and aquaculture workers and other farming-specific occupations, as well as truck and delivery drivers, sales and service workers, bookkeepers and others with office jobs.

Thirty-seven percent of workers are farmers or farm managers