Canadian Potato Situation and Trends 2006-2007 (1 of 9)
Overview
Canada is the 12th largest potato producer in the world with production close to 5 million metric tonnes (MT) in 2006. Understandably, the potato is the most important vegetable crop in Canada, accounting for 35% of all vegetable farm cash receipts or C$911 million in the 2006 calendar year.
| Province | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | % change [*] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value (Cdn $ Million) | |||||||||||
| [*] % Change from 2005 to 2006 Statistics Canada (Table 002-0001) | |||||||||||
| Newfoundland | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 2.9 | 54% |
| Prince Edward Island | 128.8 | 173.3 | 192.2 | 154.5 | 123.9 | 189.9 | 186.5 | 152.7 | 161.7 | 201.8 | 25% |
| Nova Scotia | 7.3 | 6.3 | 8.4 | 10.2 | 8.2 | 10.8 | 9.2 | 10.5 | 9.5 | 8.2 | -14% |
| New Brunswick | 63.8 | 83.0 | 93.0 | 78.8 | 100.8 | 126.8 | 96.5 | 87.3 | 77.2 | 110.8 | 43% |
| Quebec | 69.1 | 65.6 | 84.7 | 85.6 | 95.7 | 110.7 | 90.3 | 94.7 | 101.6 | 122.5 | 21% |
| Ontario | 57.6 | 54.8 | 62.6 | 65.6 | 71.9 | 87.3 | 86.2 | 88.2 | 64.1 | 99.9 | 56% |
| Manitoba | 94.3 | 105.5 | 118.6 | 111.3 | 131.3 | 132.8 | 138.1 | 156.0 | 154.2 | 128.2 | -17% |
| Saskatchewan | 18.3 | 33.6 | 29.1 | 26.0 | 40.3 | 51.4 | 58.1 | 61.2 | 24.2 | 29.4 | 22% |
| Alberta | 52.1 | 63.9 | 74.9 | 113.1 | 107.1 | 146.8 | 132.1 | 184.7 | 137.8 | 153.9 | 12% |
| British Columbia | 19.9 | 25.0 | 35.9 | 33.6 | 42.5 | 59.7 | 50.5 | 55.7 | 61.0 | 53.2 | -13% |
| Canada | 512.6 | 612.2 | 700.7 | 679.9 | 722.9 | 917.6 | 849.6 | 893.1 | 793.2 | 910.8 | 15% |
In 2006, Canadian growers planted 160,700 hectares (ha), 1% less than in 2005 and 13% less than in the 2003 a record year at 185,200 ha. Growers harvested 97.5% of the planted area or 156,700 ha. Production in 2006 increased 14% over the 2005 levels and 5% more than the previous five year average. The yield increased by 13% from 28.22 MT/ha in 2005 to 31.88 MT/ha in 2006, a record yield (Table 3).
Figure 1 shows that production was most concentrated in Prince Edward Island (PEI) (26%), Manitoba (20%), Alberta (17%), and New Brunswick (16%). The Atlantic region represented 42% of the Canadian production, the Western region 41% and the Central region 17%.
Figure 1 - Canadian Potato Production Breakdown by province, 2006
Description - Figure 1
Figure 1 - Canadian Potato Production Breakdown by province, 2006
Newfoundland 0%
Prince Edward Island 26%
Nova Scotia 1%
New Brunswick 16%
Quebec 10%
Ontario 7%
Manitoba 20%
Saskatchewan 2%
Alberta 17%
British Columbia 2%
According to the 2006 Census of Agriculture, the number of potato farms in Canada decreased by 6% over the last five years from 3,887 in 2001 to 3,667 in 2006. In the same period, the area in production declined by 4% from 169,475 ha to 162,515 ha. However the average farm size was similar for both years at 44 hectares per farm (Table 2). The largest acreage declines were in Prince Edward Island and Ontario.
| 2001 | 2006 | % Change [*] | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [*] % change from 2001 to 2006 Statistics Canada (Census of Agriculture) | |||
| Newfoundland | 152 | 132 | -13 % |
| Prince Edward Island | 468 | 412 | -12 % |
| Nova Scotia | 111 | 90 | -19 % |
| New Brunswick | 374 | 341 | -9 % |
| Quebec | 640 | 583 | -9 % |
| Ontario | 876 | 904 | 3 % |
| Manitoba | 225 | 229 | 2 % |
| Saskatchewan | 214 | 210 | -2 % |
| Alberta | 434 | 402 | -7 % |
| British Columbia | 393 | 364 | -7 % |
| Canada | 3,887 | 3,667 | -6 % |
| 2001 | 2006 | % Change [*] | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [*] % change from 2001 to 2006 Statistics Canada (Census of Agriculture) | |||
| Newfoundland | 255 | 326 | 28 % |
| Prince Edward Island | 43,256 | 39,512 | -9 % |
| Nova Scotia | 2,070 | 1,061 | -49 % |
| New Brunswick | 23,620 | 24,229 | 3 % |
| Quebec | 19,097 | 19,209 | 1 % |
| Ontario | 17,562 | 15,441 | -12 % |
| Manitoba | 31,398 | 32,630 | 4 % |
| Saskatchewan | 5,102 | 4,507 | -12 % |
| Alberta | 23,610 | 22,160 | -6 % |
| British Columbia | 3,507 | 3,439 | -2 % |
| Canada | 169,475 | 162,515 | -4 % |
Canada has been a world leader in the production of seed potatoes for more than 85 years. About 160 potato varieties are registered in Canada for the production of seed. The varieties grown in each production area are selected to meet the needs of specific markets and local adaptation.
Russet Burbank, Shepody, CalWhite and Umatilla Russet are the main frying varieties; Atlantic, Kennebec, Ranger Russet and Snowden are the main chipping varieties; Goldrush, Superior, Yukon Gold, Russet Norkotah, Norland, Chieftain, CalWhite, Ranger Russet, Sangre and Umatilla Russet are the leading table varieties. Many proprietary varieties are also used in the chip sector.
During 2006, 27,140 ha passed inspection of the Canadian Seed Potato Certification Program. This area is 4.5% higher than the previous year. In 2006, the Goldrush, Superior, Russet Burbank and Norland varieties had the highest increase in acreage compared to 2005, while Chieftain, Shepody and Ranger Russet had the highest reduction in acreage. Canadian Certified Seed Potatoes by Varieties and Hectares.
Canada has certain advantages in the production of seed potatoes - including the northern vigour phenomenon. It has been scientifically proven that seed potatoes grown in northern latitudes produce, when planted to southern locations, potatoes with higher yield and superior quality than seeds from southern latitudes.
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Canadian Potato Situation and Trends 2006-2007 (PDF Version, 466 KB)