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Overview
Canada has a technologically advanced indoor agriculture sector with long-standing success in the global marketplace. Canada’s greenhouse vegetable and mushroom sectors are an important part of Canadian agriculture and a source of significant economic activity within Canada, contributing $3.2 billion in farm gate sales and over $2.1 billion in exports in 2023.
Canadian greenhouse producers have made significant capital investments in high-tech greenhouses to meet the increasing demand for fresh vegetables year-round. Today, the majority of Canadian greenhouse facilities are highly automated with growers typically investing in the latest technology available. Growers are continuously seeking to obtain improved and advanced technology to increase production efficiency, reduce labour costs/inputs, and enhance product quality. These innovative technologies have allowed farmers to extend the natural harvest seasons and fueled continuous efficiency gains, which in turn, has increased their competitiveness and improved product quality.
The Canadian vegetable greenhouse industry is primarily clustered near the U.S. border, notably the Fraser Valley region in BC, Southern Ontario, and Quebec. These locations are in proximity to large consumer markets, transportation networks, and favourable growing conditions. In 2023, there were a total of 920 commercial greenhouse vegetable operations in Canada producing 802,163 metric tons of vegetables, representing a 7% increase in production compared to 2022. Ontario continued to lead the greenhouse vegetable sector in 2023, representing 72% of the total production in Canada, followed by British Columbia and Quebec, with 14% and 8% respectively. Other provinces accounted for the remaining 6%.
Canada’s greenhouse vegetable growers produce a variety of commodities, including tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, bell-peppers, and various herbs and microgreen vegetables. Of these commodities, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers are the main greenhouse vegetable crops grown in Canada. Tomatoes accounted for 35% of the total greenhouse vegetable sales, followed by cucumbers and peppers, which accounted for 32% and 26%, respectively. Total sales of greenhouse fruit and vegetables rose 9% from 2022 to reach $2.5 billion in 2023 - continuing the annual increases that began in 2013.
The value of greenhouse vegetable exports rose 19% from 2022 to reach approximately $1.7 billion in 2023. The value of greenhouse vegetable exports is the highest of all fresh produce (fruits, greenhouse vegetables, mushrooms, field vegetables, and potatoes) in Canada, accounting for 48% in terms of value of all fresh produce exports. Greenhouse cucumbers accounted for 38% of the total value of exports, followed by greenhouse tomatoes with 32% and peppers with 30%.
Similar to greenhouse vegetables, mushrooms are grown year-round in closed, dark, and climate-controlled facilities that maintain ideal temperatures and humidity, and are harvested on a 24/7-basis. In 2023, Canadian mushroom growers produced 140,787 metric tons of mushrooms, representing an increase of 1.2% over 2022 and reflecting the eighth consecutive annual production increase. Harvested area for mushrooms increased only marginally (+0.1%) in 2023. The total value of mushrooms grew 2.2% to $710.0 million in 2023, largely due to rise in production and a higher average price for fresh market sales. In 2023, Ontario grew more than half (53%) of Canada’s mushrooms and represented 63% of domestic sales value, while British Columbia accounted for 29% of the total value of Canadian mushrooms.
As with greenhouse vegetable exports, the U.S. remained the top export destination for fresh mushrooms in 2023, accounting for more than 98% of export values. Over the last five years, mushroom export values have increased by nearly 40%, growing to $453.3 million in 2023. Despite an increase in export value over 2022, export volumes fell by more than 4% in 2023 to 63,367 metric tons.
1. Production
1.1. Number of greenhouse vegetable operationsTable 1.1 note 1 by province
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlantic provincesTable 1.1 note 2 | 49 | 65 | 74 | 65 | 67 | 7.3% |
Quebec | 235 | 230 | 236 | 212 | 210 | 22.8% |
Ontario | 315 | 315 | 321 | 387 | 380 | 41.3% |
Prairie provincesTable 1.1 note 2 | 94 | 98 | 103 | 99 | 96 | 10.4% |
British Columbia | 150 | 150 | 158 | 167 | 167 | 18.2% |
Canada | 843 | 858 | 892 | 930 | 920 | 100.0% |
Notes:
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0019-01 Estimates of specialized greenhouse operations, greenhouse area, and months of operation |
1.2. Harvested area of greenhouse vegetablesTable 1.2 note 1 by province (square metres)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | 5,340 | 5,396 | 6,882 | 5,106 | 4,191 | 0.0% |
Prince Edward Island | 12,169 | 18,885 | 19,586 | 14,074 | 2,061 | 0.0% |
Nova Scotia | 88,211 | 84,376 | 86,114 | 83,578 | 80,285 | 0.4% |
New Brunswick | 6,983 | 6,041 | 7,350 | 7,515 | 9,865 | 0.0% |
Quebec | 1,257,737 | 1,419,780 | 1,491,924 | 1,549,087 | 1,668,117 | 7.6% |
Ontario | 12,524,892 | 12,906,198 | 13,230,470 | 14,350,730 | 15,942,941 | 72.3% |
Manitoba | 11,484 | 8,173 | 15,936 | 16,571 | 15,839 | 0.1% |
Saskatchewan | 14,706 | 14,183 | 16,142 | 17,545 | 16,776 | 0.1% |
Alberta | 732,695 | 742,732 | 817,158 | 844,677 | 778,288 | 3.5% |
British Columbia | 3,016,166 | 3,010,912 | 3,103,775 | 3,286,822 | 3,405,066 | 15.4% |
CanadaTable 1.2 note 2 | 17,700,845 | 18,256,531 | 18,816,824 | 20,210,942 | 22,058,511 | 100.0% |
Notes:
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0456-01 Production and value of greenhouse fruits and vegetables |
1.3. Harvested area of greenhouse vegetablesTable 1.3 note 1 by commodity (square metres)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tomatoes | 6,346,327 | 6,183,913 | 6,835,395 | 7,207,531 | 7,579,306 | 34.4% |
Peppers | 5,760,318 | 5,895,959 | 6,152,252 | 6,389,092 | 7,038,378 | 31.9% |
Cucumbers | 4,739,726 | 5,060,743 | 4,666,140 | 5,352,294 | 5,759,422 | 26.1% |
Strawberries | N/A | 303,791 | 321,210 | 583,648 | 737,015 | 3.3% |
Lettuce | 417,302 | 344,200 | 335,216 | 344,496 | 358,474 | 1.6% |
Other fruits or vegetables | 97,715 | 84,907 | 138,385 | 205,990 | 216,735 | 1.0% |
Eggplants | 121,641 | 138,509 | 140,496 | 139,547 | 139,550 | 0.6% |
Fine herbs | 103,655 | 116,026 | 98,292 | 102,745 | 97,471 | 0.4% |
Microgreens and shoots | 61,663 | 57,450 | 52,578 | 55,022 | 56,377 | 0.3% |
Chinese vegetables | 37,850 | 54,205 | 54,319 | 50,929 | 51,613 | 0.2% |
Beans (green and wax) | 8,914 | 12,479 | 17,888 | 19,009 | 19,755 | 0.1% |
Sprouts | 5,734 | 4,349 | 4,653 | 4,501 | 4,415 | 0.0% |
Total | 17,700,845 | 18,256,531 | 18,816,824 | 20,210,942 | 22,058,511 | 100.0% |
Notes:
N/A: Not available for a specific reference period. Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0456-01 Production and value of greenhouse fruits and vegetables |
1.4. Greenhouse vegetableTable 1.4 note 1 production by province – by volume (metric tons)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | 28 | 34 | 41 | 13 | 10 | 0.0% |
Prince Edward Island | 407 | 692 | 756 | 16 | 5 | 0.0% |
Nova Scotia | 3,147 | 3,096 | 3,060 | 3,102 | 3,135 | 0.4% |
New Brunswick | 301 | 87 | 110 | 122 | 319 | 0.0% |
Quebec | 41,027 | 46,959 | 56,905 | 60,062 | 62,209 | 7.8% |
Ontario | 462,661 | 477,157 | 490,416 | 532,485 | 576,009 | 71.8% |
Manitoba | 218 | 204 | 367 | 381 | 408 | 0.1% |
Saskatchewan | 187 | 193 | 203 | 229 | 236 | 0.0% |
Alberta | 40,391 | 42,643 | 43,697 | 45,328 | 44,448 | 5.5% |
British Columbia | 110,841 | 115,564 | 103,956 | 109,061 | 112,607 | 14.0% |
CanadaTable 1.4 note 2 | 659,623 | 687,057 | 699,793 | 752,685 | 802,163 | 100.0% |
Notes:
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0456-01 Production and value of greenhouse fruits and vegetables |
1.5. Greenhouse vegetableTable 1.5 note 1 production by commodity – by volume (metric tons)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tomatoes | 264,737 | 257,639 | 279,627 | 294,408 | 314,908 | 39.3% |
Cucumbers | 231,751 | 252,581 | 237,672 | 273,156 | 289,465 | 36.1% |
Peppers | 145,870 | 152,437 | 153,796 | 156,615 | 169,857 | 21.2% |
Lettuce | 11,843 | 15,143 | 19,221 | 14,528 | 14,751 | 1.8% |
Strawberries | N/A | 2,554 | 2,731 | 5,041 | 6,334 | 0.8% |
Eggplants | 3,141 | 4,040 | 4,219 | 4,221 | 4,267 | 0.5% |
Fine herbs | 938 | 1,190 | 1,115 | 1,133 | 1,088 | 0.1% |
Microgreens and shoots | 594 | 582 | 499 | 562 | 594 | 0.1% |
Chinese vegetables | 368 | 471 | 467 | 441 | 445 | 0.1% |
Sprouts | 337 | 345 | 331 | 329 | 316 | 0.0% |
Beans (green and wax) | 45 | 76 | 115 | 132 | 138 | 0.0% |
Total | 659,623 | 687,057 | 699,793 | 750,566 | 802,163 | 100.0% |
Notes:
N/A: Not available for a specific reference period. Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0456-01 Production and value of greenhouse fruits and vegetables |
1.6. Farm gate value of greenhouse vegetablesTable 1.6 note 1 by province (thousands of Canadian dollars)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | $153 | $202 | $205 | $178 | $100 | 0.0% |
Prince Edward Island | $1,902 | $2,035 | $2,943 | $1 | $116 | 0.0% |
Nova Scotia | $9,503 | $8,654 | $9,918 | $8,868 | $9,952 | 0.4% |
New Brunswick | $1,085 | $736 | $1,148 | $1,232 | $1,685 | 0.1% |
Quebec | $146,811 | $157,251 | $207,973 | $242,639 | $262,331 | 10.6% |
Ontario | $1,067,388 | $1,190,030 | $1,299,759 | $1,509,515 | $1,658,624 | 67.1% |
Manitoba | $1,529 | $1,200 | $1,896 | $2,114 | $2,547 | 0.1% |
Saskatchewan | $1,028 | $1,199 | $455 | $1,307 | $1,843 | 0.1% |
Alberta | $96,362 | $118,795 | $57,546 | $104,685 | $144,007 | 5.8% |
British Columbia | $306,335 | $319,630 | $322,729 | $341,433 | $368,992 | 14.9% |
CanadaTable 1.6 note 2 | $1,633,553 | $1,832,159 | $1,979,902 | $2,263,345 | $2,471,968 | 100.0% |
Notes:
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0456-01 Production and value of greenhouse fruits and vegetables |
1.7. Farm gate value of greenhouse vegetablesTable 1.7 note 1 by commodity (thousands of Canadian dollars)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tomatoes | $594,072 | $660,379 | $714,766 | $795,526 | $869,335 | 35.2% |
Cucumbers | $473,549 | $539,497 | $604,394 | $734,480 | $801,796 | 32.4% |
Peppers | $477,680 | $511,359 | $528,163 | $553,103 | $604,478 | 24.5% |
Lettuce | $50,003 | $64,092 | $65,255 | $69,760 | $74,316 | 3.0% |
Strawberries | N/A | $15,522 | $18,486 | $50,063 | $64,577 | 2.6% |
Other fruits or vegetables | $8,190 | $7,259 | $15,671 | $19,638 | $21,697 | 0.9% |
Eggplants | $11,725 | $15,336 | $16,172 | $16,614 | $16,873 | 0.7% |
Fine herbs | $10,344 | $10,173 | $9,341 | $9,712 | $9,908 | 0.4% |
Microgreens and shoots | $5,764 | $5,601 | $4,349 | $4,943 | $5,408 | 0.2% |
Beans (green and wax) | $399 | $687 | $1,090 | $1,268 | $1,343 | 0.1% |
Sprouts | $1,014 | $898 | $1,101 | $1,129 | $1,158 | 0.1% |
Chinese vegetables | $1,076 | $930 | $1,153 | $1,086 | $1,079 | 0.0% |
Total | $1,512,118 | $1,633,553 | $1,832,159 | $1,979,902 | $2,230,485 | 100.0% |
Notes:
N/A: Not available for a specific reference period. Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0456-01 Production and value of greenhouse fruits and vegetables |
1.8. Area, production and salesTable 1.8 note 1 of Canadian mushrooms
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Harvested area (thousands of square feet) | Maritime provinces and Quebec | x | x | x | x | x |
Ontario | 34,033 | 33,430 | 36,039 | 39,257 | 39,868 | |
Prairie provinces | x | x | x | x | x | |
British Columbia | 22,357 | 21,938 | 22,072 | 22,696 | 22,188 | |
CanadaTable 1.8 note 2 | 60,695 | 59,167 | 61,916 | 66,360 | 66,455 | |
Production (metric tonnes) | Maritime provinces and Quebec | x | x | x | x | x |
Ontario | 66,687 | 66,787 | 71,114 | 71,279 | 73,945 | |
Prairie provinces | x | x | x | x | x | |
British Columbia | 56,424 | x | x | x | x | |
CanadaTable 1.8 note 2 | 132,114 | 132,589 | 137,796 | 139,090 | 140,787 | |
Sales (CAN$ '000) | Maritime provinces and Quebec | x | x | x | x | x |
Ontario | $339,329 | $369,977 | $417,415 | $439,267 | $450,528 | |
Prairie provinces | x | x | x | x | x | |
British Columbia | $207,592 | x | $196,142 | $204,158 | $206,695 | |
CanadaTable 1.8 note 2 | $589,468 | $619,691 | $653,508 | $694,466 | $710,007 | |
Notes:
x: Suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act. Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0356-01 Area, production and sales of mushrooms |
2. Trade
2.1. Canadian greenhouse vegetable and mushroom trade balance (thousands of Canadian dollars)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exports | Greenhouse vegetables | $1,107,800 | $1,397,518 | $1,312,604 | $1,419,284 | $1,686,406 |
Mushrooms | $324,140 | $362,443 | $383,910 | $445,981 | $453,285 | |
Total exports | $1,431,940 | $1,759,961 | $1,696,514 | $1,865,265 | $2,139,691 | |
Import | Greenhouse vegetables | $331,151 | $368,871 | $397,586 | $428,285 | $554,722 |
Mushrooms | $69,334 | $67,469 | $65,138 | $68,404 | $58,839 | |
Total imports | $400,485 | $436,339 | $462,730 | $496,727 | $613,561 | |
Trade balance (exports − imports) |
Greenhouse vegetables | $776,648 | $1,028,648 | $915,018 | $991,000 | $1,131,685 |
Mushrooms | $254,807 | $294,974 | $318,772 | $377,577 | $394,446 | |
Overall trade balance | $1,031,455 | $1,323,622 | $1,233,790 | $1,368,577 | $1,526,131 | |
Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.2. Exports
2.2.1. Canada's greenhouse vegetable exports by commodity – by value (thousands of Canadian dollars)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cucumbers | $301,827 | $380,162 | $413,714 | $480,773 | $639,423 | 37.9% |
Tomatoes | $385,558 | $508,389 | $456,201 | $460,294 | $534,538 | 31.7% |
Peppers | $420,415 | $508,967 | $442,689 | $477,929 | $512,446 | 30.4% |
Total | $1,107,800 | $1,397,518 | $1,312,604 | $1,418,421 | $1,686,406 | 100.0% |
Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.2.2. Canada's greenhouse vegetable exports by commodity – by volume (metric tons)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cucumbers | 118,592 | 130,778 | 149,180 | 173,307 | 201,745 | 41.8% |
Tomatoes | 138,555 | 144,758 | 158,191 | 148,747 | 164,691 | 34.1% |
Peppers | 94,022 | 109,046 | 115,092 | 111,864 | 116,590 | 25.8% |
Total | 351,169 | 384,582 | 422,463 | 434,241 | 483,027 | 100.0% |
Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.2.3. Canada's greenhouse vegetable exports by province – by value (thousands of Canadian dollars)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Prince Edward Island | 0s | 0s | 0s | 0s | $4 | 0.0% |
Nova Scotia | $2 | $1 | $0 | $1 | $8 | 0.0% |
New Brunswick | $6 | $17 | $14 | $14 | $11 | 0.0% |
Québec | $18,549 | $19,811 | $19,599 | $28,799 | $51,562 | 3.1% |
Ontario | $920,159 | $1,162,069 | $1,129,495 | $1,236,382 | $1,481,529 | 87.9% |
Manitoba | $8 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0s | 0.0% |
Saskatchewan | 0s | 0s | 0s | 0s | $42 | 0.0% |
Alberta | $4,725 | $3,364 | $5,898 | $4,577 | $2,234 | 0.1% |
British Columbia | $164,351 | $212,257 | $157,598 | $148,649 | $151,016 | 9.0% |
Total | $1,107,800 | $1,397,518 | $1,312,604 | $1,418,421 | $1,686,406 | 100.0% |
Notes: 0s: Value rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded. Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.2.4. Canada's greenhouse vegetable exports by province – by volume (metric tons)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Prince Edward Island | 0s | 0s | 0s | 0s | 4 | 0.0% |
Nova Scotia | 1 | 0s | 0s | 0s | 3 | 0.0% |
New Brunswick | 2 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 0.0% |
Québec | 4,839 | 5,693 | 6,058 | 7,155 | 12,422 | 2.6% |
Ontario | 296,983 | 325,600 | 366,015 | 382,041 | 426,694 | 88.3% |
Manitoba | 3 | 0s | 0s | 0s | 0s | 0.0% |
Alberta | 2,570 | 1,204 | 2,374 | 1,895 | 910 | 0.2% |
British Columbia | 46,773 | 52,079 | 48,011 | 42,825 | 42,980 | 8.9% |
Total | 351,169 | 384,582 | 422,463 | 434,241 | 483,027 | 100.0% |
Notes: 0s: Value rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded. Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.2.5. Canada's top greenhouse vegetable export destinations – by value (thousands of Canadian dollars)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | $1,102,403 | $1,391,671 | $1,305,093 | $1,411,005 | $1,678,576 | 99.5% |
Japan | $4,172 | $5,316 | $7,414 | $7,371 | $7,258 | 0.5% |
Taiwan | $794 | $407 | $11 | $16 | $529 | 0.0% |
France | $13 | $7 | $2 | $17 | $22 | 0.0% |
Saint Pierre and Miquelon | $8 | $17 | $14 | $14 | $11 | 0.0% |
Others | $410 | $100 | $71 | $0 | $0 | 0.0% |
Total | $1,107,800 | $1,397,518 | $1,312,604 | $1,418,421 | $1,686,395 | 100.0% |
Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.2.6. Canada's top greenhouse vegetable export destinations – by volume (metric tons)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | 349,533 | 382,684 | 420,052 | 431,539 | 480,553 | 99.5% |
Japan | 1,250 | 1,722 | 2,379 | 2,366 | 2,286 | 0.5% |
Taiwan | 256 | 136 | 4 | 5 | 175 | 0.0% |
France | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 0.0% |
Saint Pierre and Miquelon | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0.0% |
Others | 125 | 33 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
Total | 351,169 | 384,582 | 422,463 | 434,241 | 483,023 | 100.0% |
Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.2.7. Greenhouse vegetable destinations by commodity – by value (thousands of Canadian dollars)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cucumbers | United States | $301,810 | $380,118 | $413,679 | $480,582 | $639,410 |
Japan | $0 | $34 | $29 | $187 | $3 | |
Saint Pierre and Miquelon | $1 | $3 | $3 | $4 | $3 | |
Total | $301,827 | $380,162 | $413,714 | $480,773 | $639,417 | |
Tomatoes | United States | $381,081 | $503,247 | $449,424 | $454,403 | $529,042 |
Japan | $3,500 | $4,659 | $6,702 | $5,890 | $4,955 | |
Taiwan | $790 | $407 | $11 | $0 | $529 | |
Total | $385,558 | $508,389 | $456,201 | $460,491 | $534,533 | |
Peppers | United States | $419,512 | $508,306 | $441,989 | $476,594 | $510,124 |
Japan | $672 | $623 | $683 | $1,294 | $2,300 | |
France | $12 | $6 | $2 | $16 | $14 | |
Total | $420,415 | $508,967 | $442,689 | $477,929 | $512,449 | |
Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.2.8. Greenhouse vegetable destinations by commodity – by volume (metric tons)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cucumbers | United States | 118,586 | 130,763 | 149,167 | 173,238 | 201,741 |
Japan | 0 | 12 | 11 | 68 | 1 | |
Saint Pierre and Miquelon | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Total | 118,592 | 130,778 | 149,180 | 173,557 | 201,743 | |
Tomatoes | United States | 137,155 | 143,065 | 155,993 | 146,812 | 162,819 |
Japan | 1,085 | 1,531 | 2,173 | 1,935 | 1,694 | |
Taiwan | 255 | 135 | 4 | 0 | 175 | |
Total | 138,555 | 144,758 | 158,191 | 148,747 | 164,690 | |
Peppers | United States | 93,792 | 108,855 | 114,892 | 111,489 | 115,993 |
Japan | 165 | 180 | 196 | 364 | 591 | |
France | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | |
Total | 94,022 | 109,046 | 115,092 | 111,864 | 116,590 | |
Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.2.9. Canada's mushroom exports by province – by value (thousands of Canadian dollars)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nova Scotia | $4 | 0s | 0s | 0s | 0s | 0.0% |
New Brunswick | $13 | 0s | 0s | 0s | 0s | 0.0% |
Quebec | $221 | $644 | $23 | $182 | $162 | 0.0% |
Ontario | $95,819 | $113,102 | $111,783 | $118,335 | $131,945 | 29.1% |
Manitoba | 0s | 0s | 0s | $13,250 | $17,665 | 3.9% |
Alberta | 0s | 0s | $160 | $17 | 0s | 0.0% |
British Columbia | $228,082 | $248,697 | $271,944 | $314,269 | $303,506 | 67.0% |
CanadaTable 2.2.9 note 1 | $324,140 | $362,443 | $383,910 | $445,981 | $453,279 | 100.0% |
Notes:
0s: Value rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded. Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.2.10. Canada's mushroom exports by province – by volume (metric tons)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nova Scotia | 0s | 0s | 0s | 0s | 0s | 0.0% |
New Brunswick | 0s | 0s | 0s | 0s | 0s | 0.0% |
Quebec | 26 | 44 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 0.0% |
Ontario | 16,514 | 19,315 | 19,252 | 19,757 | 20,438 | 32.3% |
Manitoba | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,794 | 2,346 | 3.7% |
Alberta | 0s | 0s | 95 | 10 | 0s | 0.0% |
British Columbia | 35,666 | 37,953 | 43,382 | 44,680 | 40,575 | 64.0% |
CanadaTable 2.2.10 note 1 | 52,206 | 57,312 | 62,730 | 66,246 | 63,367 | 100.0% |
Notes:
0s: Value rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded. Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.2.11. Canada's top mushroom export destinations – by value (thousands of Canadian dollars)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | $304,859 | $350,518 | $373,865 | $433,734 | $445,060 | 98.2% |
Japan | $11,969 | $8,866 | $8,424 | $5,376 | $6,913 | 1.5% |
Switzerland | $858 | $422 | $168 | $2,075 | $436 | 0.1% |
Netherlands | $841 | $715 | $364 | $1,023 | $425 | 0.1% |
France | $2,527 | $1,114 | $533 | $2,588 | $322 | 0.1% |
Others | $3,085 | $808 | $555 | $1,220 | $123 | 0.0% |
Total | $324,140 | $362,443 | $383,910 | $446,053 | $453,279 | 100.0% |
Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.2.12. Canada's top mushroom export destinations – by volume (metric tons)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | 51,817 | 56,937 | 62,333 | 65,885 | 63,101 | 99.6% |
Japan | 228 | 280 | 331 | 252 | 238 | 0.4% |
Netherlands | 30 | 28 | 11 | 26 | 13 | 0.0% |
France | 75 | 41 | 19 | 47 | 9 | 0.0% |
Switzerland | 9 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 3 | 0.0% |
Others | 47 | 24 | 35 | 24 | 4 | 0.0% |
Total | 52,206 | 57,312 | 62,730 | 66,251 | 63,367 | 100.0% |
Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.3. Imports
2.3.1. Canada's greenhouse vegetable imports by commodity – by value (thousands of Canadian dollars)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Peppers | $147,443 | $163,389 | $169,861 | $197,379 | $262,820 | 47.4% |
Tomatoes | $134,822 | $162,224 | $172,876 | $189,557 | $230,045 | 41.5% |
Cucumbers | $48,484 | $42,822 | $54,463 | $40,671 | $58,525 | 10.6% |
Lettuce | $402 | $435 | $386 | $715 | $3,331 | 0.6% |
Total | $331,151 | $368,871 | $397,586 | $428,322 | $554,722 | 100.0% |
Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.3.2. Canada's greenhouse vegetable imports by commodity – by volume (metric tons)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tomatoes | 59,749 | 66,996 | 75,306 | 77,847 | 87,047 | 47.6% |
Peppers | 47,210 | 49,150 | 52,735 | 61,062 | 73,526 | 40.2% |
Cucumbers | 24,193 | 21,105 | 25,412 | 18,360 | 21,893 | 12.0% |
Lettuce | 111 | 68 | 64 | 142 | 493 | 0.3% |
Total | 131,264 | 137,319 | 153,517 | 157,411 | 182,959 | 100.0% |
Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.3.3. Top sources of Canada's greenhouse vegetable imports – by value (thousands of Canadian dollars)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mexico | $270,515 | $320,621 | $336,171 | $369,826 | $471,119 | 84.9% |
United States | $42,387 | $37,176 | $54,202 | $52,566 | $68,766 | 12.4% |
Spain | $11,888 | $4,707 | $3,007 | $3,851 | $11,114 | 2.0% |
Viet Nam | $104 | $228 | $459 | $462 | $524 | 0.1% |
Netherlands | $3,202 | $2,285 | $257 | $503 | $180 | 0.0% |
Others | $3,056 | $3,855 | $3,487 | $1,114 | $3,017 | 0.5% |
Total | $331,151 | $368,871 | $397,592 | $428,322 | $554,722 | 100.0% |
Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.3.4. Top sources of Canada's greenhouse vegetable imports – by volume (metric tons)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mexico | 109,512 | 120,959 | 128,942 | 133,149 | 152,876 | 83.6% |
United States | 16,509 | 13,270 | 22,684 | 22,922 | 27,154 | 14.8% |
Spain | 3,252 | 1,227 | 715 | 838 | 1,942 | 1.1% |
Viet Nam | 33 | 74 | 108 | 94 | 103 | 0.1% |
Netherlands | 857 | 378 | 40 | 84 | 39 | 0.0% |
Others | 1,101 | 1,411 | 1,033 | 324 | 845 | 0.5% |
Total | 131,264 | 137,319 | 153,521 | 157,411 | 182,959 | 100.0% |
Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.3.5. Greenhouse vegetable import sources by commodity – by value (thousands of Canadian dollars)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Peppers | Mexico | $123,180 | $147,060 | $161,206 | $187,324 | $241,025 |
Spain | $10,533 | $4,600 | $2,977 | $3,755 | $9,569 | |
United States | $6,390 | $7,796 | $6,674 | $2,009 | $4,413 | |
Netherlands | $3,120 | $2,275 | $243 | $496 | $176 | |
Total | $147,443 | $163,389 | $169,867 | $197,379 | $262,820 | |
Tomatoes | Mexico | $109,766 | $142,631 | $144,527 | $154,630 | $186,062 |
United States | $24,893 | $19,031 | $28,278 | $34,924 | $43,983 | |
New Zealand | $162 | $360 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
Guatemala | $0 | $203 | $70 | $3 | $0 | |
Total | $134,822 | $162,224 | $172,876 | $189,557 | $230,045 | |
Cucumbers | Mexico | $37,553 | $30,922 | $30,445 | $27,868 | $43,909 |
United States | $9,354 | $11,131 | $23,631 | $12,592 | $12,834 | |
Spain | $1,351 | $89 | $10 | $78 | $1,527 | |
Netherlands | $82 | $6 | $8 | $1 | $2 | |
Total | $48,484 | $42,822 | $54,463 | $40,671 | $58,525 | |
Lettuce | United States | $344 | $339 | $287 | $637 | $3,127 |
Mexico | $16 | $8 | $2 | $4 | $123 | |
South Korea | $37 | $63 | $66 | $41 | $54 | |
Spain | $4 | $18 | $20 | $18 | $18 | |
Total | $402 | $435 | $386 | $715 | $3,331 | |
Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.3.6. Greenhouse vegetable import sources by commodity – by volume (metric tons)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tomatoes | Mexico | 49,931 | 60,013 | 62,241 | 62,417 | 68,937 |
United States | 9,760 | 6,730 | 13,044 | 15,428 | 18,109 | |
New Zealand | 58 | 190 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Guatemala | 0 | 62 | 21 | 2 | 0 | |
Total | 59,749 | 66,996 | 75,306 | 77,847 | 87,047 | |
Peppers | Mexico | 39,819 | 44,286 | 50,201 | 58,292 | 67,804 |
Spain | 2,594 | 1,178 | 705 | 820 | 1,612 | |
United States | 3,017 | 2,379 | 819 | 1,524 | 3,236 | |
Netherlands | 805 | 374 | 36 | 83 | 38 | |
Total | 47,210 | 49,150 | 52,738 | 61,062 | 73,526 | |
Cucumbers | Mexico | 19,750 | 16,659 | 16,499 | 12,439 | 16,089 |
United States | 3,636 | 4,099 | 8,767 | 5,834 | 5,368 | |
Spain | 657 | 48 | 8 | 16 | 328 | |
Netherlands | 52 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
Total | 24,193 | 21,105 | 25,412 | 18,360 | 21,893 | |
Lettuce | United States | 96 | 60 | 55 | 135 | 441 |
Mexico | 12 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 45 | |
South Korea | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | |
Spain | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Total | 111 | 68 | 64 | 142 | 493 | |
Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.3.7. Top sources of Canada's mushroom imports – by value (thousands of Canadian dollars)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | $39,978 | $41,512 | $37,719 | $38,427 | $28,444 | 48.3% |
China | $12,008 | $12,581 | $14,926 | $19,235 | $17,549 | 29.8% |
South Korea | $8,704 | $8,112 | $5,787 | $2,417 | $3,576 | 6.1% |
Italy | $1,723 | $1,263 | $2,128 | $2,189 | $2,339 | 4.0% |
Japan | $127 | $53 | $112 | $502 | $1,527 | 2.6% |
Others | $6,793 | $3,947 | $4,466 | $5,635 | $5,405 | 9.2% |
Total | $69,334 | $67,469 | $65,138 | $68,405 | $58,839 | 100.0% |
Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
2.3.8. Top sources of Canada's mushroom imports – by volume (metric tons)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | 7,595 | 7,848 | 6,777 | 5,585 | 4,135 | 47.4% |
China | 1,339 | 1,544 | 2,058 | 2,927 | 2,898 | 33.2% |
South Korea | 2,940 | 2,687 | 1,885 | 722 | 1,018 | 11.7% |
Japan | 8 | 2 | 6 | 137 | 409 | 4.7% |
Italy | 56 | 90 | 248 | 96 | 32 | 0.4% |
Others | 311 | 182 | 287 | 311 | 234 | 2.7% |
Total | 12,249 | 12,353 | 11,261 | 9,778 | 8,726 | 100.0% |
Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, August 2024) |
3. Channels of distribution
3.1. Channels of distribution for greenhouse vegetableTable 3.1 note 1 sales and resalesTable 3.1 note 2
(millions of Canadian dollars)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Domestic wholesalers | $1,090.1 | $1,176.1 | $1,307.8 | $1,493.3 | $1,633.3 | 66.1% |
Mass market chain stores | $206.1 | $266.7 | $299.0 | $333.1 | $353.0 | 14.3% |
Other channels | $229.8 | $237.8 | $218.6 | $268.3 | $300.8 | 14.4% |
Other greenhouses | $78.1 | $109.3 | $126.3 | $138.8 | $150.7 | 6.1% |
Direct sales to the publicTable 3.1 note 3 | $29.5 | $42.3 | $28.2 | $31.6 | $34.1 | 1.4% |
Total sales | $1,633.6 | $1,832.2 | $1,979.9 | $2,263.3 | $2,472.0 | 100.0% |
Notes:
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0022-01 Channels of distribution for horticulture product sales and resales |
4. Operating expenses and assets
4.1. Greenhouse vegetableTable 4.1 note 1Table 4.1 note 2 producers' operating expenses by category
(millions of Canadian dollars)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gross yearly payrollTable 4.1 note 3 | $386.1 | $434.6 | $520.8 | $546.3 | $560.2 | 30.8% |
Other operating expensesTable 4.1 note 4 | $305.8 | $361.3 | $382.9 | $409.9 | $449.0 | 24.7% |
Other crop expensesTable 4.1 note 5 | $247.0 | $279.0 | $312.4 | $356.0 | $375.0 | 20.6% |
FuelTable 4.1 note 6 | $146.2 | $149.0 | $162.7 | $172.7 | $183.6 | 10.1% |
Plant material purchases for growing onTable 4.1 note 7 | $130.9 | $147.6 | $160.7 | $172.5 | $174.0 | 9.6% |
ElectricityTable 4.1 note 8 | $42.9 | $50.7 | $66.3 | $68.4 | $74.5 | 4.1% |
Total operating expenses | $1,259.0 | $1,422.2 | $1,605.7 | $1,725.8 | $1,816.2 | 100.0% |
Notes:
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0025-01 Specialized greenhouse producers' operating expenses |
4.2. Mushroom operation assets by category (thousands of Canadian dollars)
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 % Share |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Land | x | $120,412 | $127,184 | $150,854 | $177,127 | 17.2% |
BuildingsTable 4.2 note 1 | x | $468,389 | $543,223 | $620,516 | $689,982 | 66.9% |
Processing, packing equipment and other machinery | x | $146,358 | $154,140 | $159,550 | $164,638 | 16.0% |
Investment, total | x | $735,159 | $824,547 | $930,921 | $1,031,747 | 100.0% |
Notes:
x: Suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act. Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0356-01 Area, production and sales of mushrooms |
5. Labour
5.1. Total number of employees of specialized greenhouse vegetable operations
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlantic provinces | Seasonal employeesTable 5.1 note 1 | 77 | 61 | 101 | 105 | 107 |
Permanent employeesTable 5.1 note 2 | 119 | 156 | 148 | 150 | 150 | |
Total employees | 196 | 217 | 249 | 255 | 257 | |
Quebec | Seasonal employeesTable 5.1 note 1 | 400 | 603 | 724 | 742 | 677 |
Permanent employeesTable 5.1 note 2 | 789 | 844 | 1,098 | 1,105 | 1,023 | |
Total employees | 1,189 | 1,447 | 1,822 | 1,847 | 1,700 | |
Ontario | Seasonal employeesTable 5.1 note 1 | 3,742 | 4,000 | 4,266 | 4,469 | 4,290 |
Permanent employeesTable 5.1 note 2 | 4,533 | 5,177 | 6,186 | 6,598 | 6,334 | |
Total employees | 8,275 | 9,177 | 10,452 | 11,067 | 10,624 | |
Prairie provinces | Seasonal employeesTable 5.1 note 1 | 162 | 255 | 187 | 200 | 187 |
Permanent employeesTable 5.1 note 2 | 706 | 726 | 805 | 807 | 726 | |
Total employees | 868 | 981 | 992 | 1,007 | 912 | |
British Columbia | Seasonal employeesTable 5.1 note 1 | 819 | 850 | 911 | 913 | 908 |
Permanent employeesTable 5.1 note 2 | 1,205 | 1,281 | 1,391 | 1,294 | 1,281 | |
Total employees | 2,024 | 2,131 | 2,302 | 2,207 | 2,189 | |
Canada | Seasonal employeesTable 5.1 note 1 | 5,200 | 5,769 | 6,189 | 6,429 | 6,169 |
Permanent employeesTable 5.1 note 2 | 7,352 | 8,184 | 9,628 | 9,954 | 9,513 | |
Total employees | 12,552 | 13,953 | 15,817 | 16,383 | 15,682 | |
Notes:
Due to confidentiality reasons, provincial breakdowns for Atlantic and Prairie provinces are not shown. Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0028-01 Total number of employees of specialized greenhouse operations |
5.2. Total number of employees and labour cost of mushroom operations
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Labour cost, total (thousands of Canadian dollars) | x | $193,273 | $199,228 | $220,581 | $227,254 |
Full-time employees (number) | x | 4,441 | 4,692 | 5,156 | 5,157 |
Part-time employees (number) | x | 869 | 875 | 823 | 819 |
Total employees | 5,310 | 5,567 | 5,979 | 5,976 | |
Notes: x: Suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act. Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0356-01 Area, production and sales of mushrooms |
6. Key Resources
- Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0456-01 Production and value of greenhouse fruits and vegetables
- Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0019-01 Estimates of specialized greenhouse operations, greenhouse area, and months of operation
- Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0028-01 Total number of employees of specialized greenhouse operations
- Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0356-01 Area, production and sales of mushrooms
- Statistics Canada. CATSNET