Crops Grown in Canada by Volume and Region (Updated in 2024)

When you are looking for a Canadian agriculture job, especially if you are a newcomer, it’s important to understand the areas of Canada that can sustain the type of farming you are skilled or interested in. Below we explain the varied agriculture landscape in Canada to help you narrow down your job search radius. Here are the latest facts and figures that make up the Ag Sector.

Canadian agriculture plays a vital role in driving the nation’s economy and supporting livelihoods across the country. With its vast expanses of fertile land and diverse climate zones, Canada boasts a rich agricultural sector that produces a wide array of crops and livestock.

In Canada, the agricultural industry boasts a significant presence, with a over 190,000 farms dotting the country’s expansive territory. These farms collectively cover approximately 62 million hectares or 150 million acres, comprising about 6.2% of Canada’s total land area. This agricultural footprint is particularly concentrated in key regions such as the Prairies, Quebec, and Southern Ontario, where the fertile soils and favourable climates facilitate robust farming activities. From vast wheat fields stretching across the Prairies to the lush vineyards of Southern Ontario and the Interior of British Columbia, Canada’s diverse agricultural sector thrives, contributing substantially to the nation’s economy and its food security.

In 2022 the Canadian agriculture system employed 2.3 million people, around 6.% of the population of Canada and generated 144 billion dollars to Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) which is 7% of the total country’s GDP.

Canada’s key field crops include wheat, barley, canola, corn, soybeans, and oats. This sector not only feeds the nation but also contributes significantly to international markets, exporting high-quality products worldwide.

Top Canada Field Crops by acre grown (2023):

Crop	Approximate Acres Grown	Provinces Primarily Grown in:
Wheat	26.9 million	Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, Ontario
Canola	22.1 million	Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta
Barley	7.3 million	Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta
Corn	3.8 million	Ontario
Soybeans	5.6 million	Ontario
Lentils	3.7 million	Saskatchewan
Dry Field Peas	3 million	Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Oats	2.5 million	Saskatchewan
Mustard Seed	637,000	Saskatchewan
Flaxseed	609,000	Saskatchewan

In Canada, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers stand as the principal greenhouse vegetable crops. Among these, tomatoes dominate, comprising 36% of total greenhouse vegetable sales. Cucumbers and peppers follow closely, representing 33% and 25% of the market share, respectively. The majority of greenhouse vegetables are grown in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia but Alberta continues to grow production year over year.

Top Canada Vegetables Grown by square metre grown (2022):

Crop	Approximate m2 Grown	Provinces Primarily Grown in:
Tomatoes	7.2 million	Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia
Peppers	6.3 million	Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia
Cucumbers	5.3 million	Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia
Lettuce	344,496	Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia
Strawberries	332,787	Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia
Eggplants	139,547	Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia
Fine Herbs	102,745	Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia
Microgreens	55,022	Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia
Chinese Vegetables	50,929	Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia
Beans	19,009	Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia, Alberta
Sprouts	4,501	Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia

Canada is the eighth largest mushroom producer in the world. Canada produced 139,090 metric tons of mushrooms in 2022. 5,500 people are employed in mushroom industry jobs working on a total of 264 mushroom farms in Canada. Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia collectively represent roughly 93% of the total production of Canadian mushrooms. The vast majority of Canadian mushroom exports are sent to the United States.

Provinces with Mushroom Production	Percentage of Production
Ontario	33%
Quebec	32%
British Columbia	15%
All other provinces	20%

Potatoes are the fifth largest primary agriculture crop in Canada (after wheat, canola, barley, soybean, and corn). In 2022 Canada produced 156,655 pounds of potatoes. The main potato producing provinces by volume were Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, Alberta, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario.

Provinces with Potato Production	Percentage of Production
Prince Edward Island	21.6%
Manitoba	21.3%
Alberta	21.8%
New Brunswick	13.8%
Quebec	12.1%
Ontario	6.6%

We’ll continue to update this page with the most recent estimates. Best of luck as you learn about Canadian farming on your job search!