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Overview
The Canadian greenhouse vegetable sector is the largest and fastest growing segment of Canadian horticulture. Greenhouse farming produces agricultural products in self-contained ‘controlled environments’ with systems supplying heat, water, and nutrients, and often employing artificial lighting (in addition to sunlight) to nourish the plants. This method of farming requires investment in infrastructure and a strong understanding of the technology. In the early 1990s, Canada emerged as the leading producer of greenhouse products in North America. While the United States and Mexico later became important greenhouse producers as well, greenhouse production seasons vary between countries and regions. Canada is also the only North American country with annual government statistics on greenhouse production.
The increased demand from Canadian and American consumers for a wide variety of fresh year-round produce is the main factor behind the growth of the greenhouse industry in North America. To meet steady demand, retailers are increasingly demanding consistent year-round volumes from their suppliers. As a result, individual marketers, with varying degrees of vertical integration, have developed their own grower/customer relationships and brand identities both in the U.S. and Canadian markets. Marketers use a variety of partnerships, investments, and construction of their own growing and packing facilities to ensure they can meet demand from geographically-diverse sources across the continent. Greenhouse products with features of sustained predictable availability, high quality, and more varieties have taken a dominant market share in the fresh vegetable markets at the retail level. Greenhouse peppers, cucumbers and a wide variety of tomatoes (cluster, grape, cherry) are now widely available at retail throughout Canada and the U.S. throughout the year.
Production of greenhouse vegetables is scheduled so that new plants come into production when domestic field crops are still months away. Around early December, after an annual complete cleaning of the greenhouse and removal of all previous plant material, new plantlets are brought in from a propagator and placed along rows of growing media. In mid-winter, as days start getting longer, production begins and continues through the summer and fall. In late November or December, when natural light levels are near their lowest and heating costs are highest, production stops and the annual clean-out/sterilization of the greenhouse takes place to get ready for the next cycle. For plants requiring pollination such as tomatoes, boxes of bumblebees are placed in the greenhouse for the season.
Canadian greenhouse vegetable growers use both seasonal and permanent employees. Seasonal employees are employees who work less than eight months during the year, while permanent employees work more than eight months during the year. The total number of employees of specialized greenhouse operations has been relatively stable over the past five years. In 2019, 12,492 people were employed in the greenhouse vegetable sector: 7,347 permanent employees and 5,145 seasonal employees. Ontario accounted for 66% of the total number of greenhouse employees in Canada.
In 2019, there were a total of 838 commercial greenhouse vegetable operations with 17.6 million square metres of production area which produced nearly 664,450 metric tons of vegetables. There has been a steady increase in greenhouse vegetable production in Canada and it is anticipated that acreages in greenhouse vegetable production will continue to grow. The acreage has increased 21% over the last five year and 48% over the last decade. Ontario continued to lead the greenhouse vegetable sector in 2019, representing 69% of the total production in Canada, followed by British Columbia and Quebec, with 18% and 6% respectively.
Canada’s greenhouse vegetable growers produce tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, bell-peppers, green/yellow beans, eggplants 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 37% of the total greenhouse vegetable sales, followed by cucumbers and peppers, which accounted for 31% and 28%, respectively. Total sales of greenhouse fruit and vegetables rose 5% to reach nearly $1.6 billion in 2019 - continuing the annual increases that began in 2013. Greenhouse cucumbers continued to show strong sales and production numbers for 2019, with sales increasing 10% to $485 million.
The value of greenhouse vegetable exports rose 11% from 2018 to reach over $1.1 billion in 2019, exceeding the $1-billion milestone for the second consecutive year. 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 49% of all fresh produce exports. Greenhouse peppers accounted for 38% of the total value of exports, followed by greenhouse tomatoes with 35% and by cucumbers and gherkins with 27%. The value of pepper exports rose 19% from 2018, surpassing the value of tomato exports which was the top greenhouse export in 2018.
The United States has been Canada’s main export destination for greenhouse vegetables over several years. In 2019, the value of exports to the United States accounted for 99% of all Canadian greenhouse vegetable exports.
In 2019, Canada imported $331 million worth of greenhouse vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and lettuce). The top two greenhouse vegetable import sources were Mexico, accounting for 83%, and the United States, accounting for 13%. In terms of value, peppers (45%) are the largest imported commodity, followed by tomatoes (41%) and cucumbers (15%).
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, greenhouse facilities in Canada faced business disruptions due to outbreaks and public health mandated closures to production facilities. While the sector proved to be resilient, concerns regarding the availability and access to agricultural labour for the 2020/2021 crop remain front and centre. Notably, temporary foreign workers (TFWs) have become a vital part of the workforce for many agricultural employers. The greenhouse sector in particular relies on TFWs for about one-third of its workforce due to its extended production cycle. Greenhouse crops tend to have the longest production cycle of all horticultural crops, with planting and harvesting occurring almost continuously from January to December.
1. Production
1.1. Number of greenhouse vegetable operations1 by province
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic provinces2 | 54 | 52 | 52 | 51 | 49 |
| Quebec | 242 | 247 | 250 | 238 | 235 |
| Ontario | 315 | 323 | 330 | 325 | 315 |
| Prairie provinces2 | 100 | 107 | 101 | 102 | 94 |
| British Columbia | 150 | 160 | 154 | 150 | 145 |
| Canada | 861 | 894 | 889 | 866 | 838 |
Notes: 1. Number of operations represents the number of specialized greenhouse vegetable and fruit operations and includes all other types of enclosed protection used for growing plants, such as rigid insulation, mine shafts, barns and shelters. Mixed operations (vegetables, flowers and plants) are excluded. 2. Due to confidentiality reasons, provincial breakdowns for Atlantic and Prairie provinces are not shown. Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0019-01 Estimates of specialized greenhouse operations, greenhouse area, and months of operation |
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1.2. Harvested area of greenhouse vegetables by province (square metres)
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 5,132 | 647 | 5,900 | 6,539 | 5,257 |
| Prince Edward Island | F/x | F/x | 13,531 | 14,935 | 12,169 |
| Nova Scotia | 77,992 | F/x | 83,556 | 82,265 | 87,282 |
| New Brunswick | 5,042 | 121 | 4,086 | 4,617 | 6,983 |
| Quebec | 951,534 | 915,475 | 1,145,549 | 1,228,400 | 1,274,804 |
| Ontario | 10,061,143 | 10,972,697 | 11,670,213 | 12,194,927 | 12,395,943 |
| Manitoba | 5,245 | 496 | 6,955 | 8,287 | 11,530 |
| Saskatchewan | 14,139 | 2,003 | 15,954 | 17,300 | 13,089 |
| Alberta | 544,222 | 547,626 | 670,984 | 719,049 | 741,985 |
| British Columbia | 2,881,096 | 3,088,435 | 3,222,661 | 3,136,709 | 3,032,257 |
| Canada1 | 14,592,933 | 15,928,094 | 16,878,194 | 17,430,846 | 17,613,713 |
Notes: 1. Totals may not add up as some data was suppressed to meet confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act. F/x: Too unreliable to be published or suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act. Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0456-01 Production and value of greenhouse vegetables |
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1.3. Harvested area of greenhouse vegetables by province – percent share, 2019
Description of above image
Harvested area of greenhouse vegetables by province – percent share
- Ontario: 71%
- British Columbia: 17%
- Quebec: 7%
- Others: 5%
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0456-01 Production and value of greenhouse vegetables
1.4. Harvested area of greenhouse vegetables by commodity (square metres)
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | 5,513,837 | 5,990,278 | 6,356,198 | 6,579,782 | 6,459,296 |
| Peppers | 4,940,683 | 5,385,939 | 5,625,383 | 5,615,729 | 5,574,511 |
| Cucumbers | 3,739,159 | 4,005,746 | 4,321,832 | 4,559,877 | 4,841,470 |
| Lettuce | 187,343 | 174,696 | 209,183 | 236,813 | 317,382 |
| Eggplants | n/a | 90,123 | 109,631 | 110,519 | 107,706 |
| Fine herbs | n/a | 26,922 | 90,429 | 69,737 | 103,655 |
| Other fruits or vegetables | 211,911 | 194,393 | 85,214 | 131,831 | 97,715 |
| Microgreens and shoots | n/a | n/a | 16,773 | 69,479 | 59,480 |
| Chinese vegetables | n/a | 55,471 | 48,740 | 43,396 | 37,850 |
| Beans (green and wax) | n/a | 4,526 | 6,630 | 6,998 | 8,914 |
| Sprouts | n/a | n/a | 8,181 | 6,685 | 5,734 |
| Total | 14,592,933 | 15,928,094 | 16,878,194 | 17,430,846 | 17,613,713 |
Note: n/a : Not available for a specific reference period. Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0456-01 Production and value of greenhouse vegetables |
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1.5. Harvested area of greenhouse vegetables by commodity – percent share, 2019
Description of above image
Harvested area of greenhouse vegetables by commodity – percent share
- Tomatoes: 37%
- Peppers: 32%
- Cucumbers: 27%
- Others: 4%
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0456-01 Production and value of greenhouse vegetables
1.6. Greenhouse vegetable production by province (metric tonnes)
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 10 | 3 | 8 | 14 | 25 |
| Prince Edward Island | F/x | F/x | 2 | 448 | 407 |
| Nova Scotia | 3,090 | 1,248 | 2,914 | 2,872 | 3,088 |
| New Brunswick | 29 | 1 | F/x | 45 | 304 |
| Quebec | 6,110 | 27,938 | 38,772 | 41,333 | 40,995 |
| Ontario | 420,081 | 424,451 | 438,680 | 452,009 | 461,296 |
| Manitoba | 152 | 3 | 186 | 205 | 218 |
| Saskatchewan | 189 | 22 | 224 | 209 | 175 |
| Alberta | 22,195 | 23,150 | 33,170 | 37,161 | 37,844 |
| British Columbia | 114,652 | 90,881 | 120,864 | 123,000 | 119,682 |
| Canada2 | 587,825 | 604,990 | 636,723 | 660,259 | 664,449 |
Notes: 1. Does not include lettuce in 2015. 2. Totals may not add up as some data was suppressed to meet confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act. F/x: Too unreliable to be published or suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act. Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0456-01 Production and value of greenhouse vegetables |
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1.7. Greenhouse vegetable production by province – percent share, 2019
Description of above image
Greenhouse vegetable production by province – percent share
- Ontario: 69%
- British Columbia: 18%
- Quebec: 6%
- Alberta: 6%
- Others: 1%
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0456-01 Production and value of greenhouse vegetables
1.8. Greenhouse vegetable production by commodity (metric tonnes)
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | 261,677 | 271,006 | 279,494 | 279,433 | 269,659 |
| Cucumbers | 186,306 | 189,704 | 206,227 | 228,764 | 240,451 |
| Peppers | 134,644 | 135,657 | 139,060 | 139,153 | 140,745 |
| Lettuce | 5,198 | 4,876 | 6,256 | 7,049 | 8,302 |
| Eggplants | .. | 2,904 | 3,456 | 3,476 | 3,036 |
| Fine herbs | .. | 219 | 755 | 572 | 938 |
| Microgreens and shoots | .. | .. | 164 | 919 | 569 |
| Chinese vegetables | .. | 587 | 495 | 442 | 368 |
| Sprouts | .. | .. | 776 | 405 | 337 |
| Beans (green and wax) | .. | 36 | 40 | 47 | 45 |
| Total | 587,825 | 604,990 | 636,723 | 660,259 | 664,449 |
Note: .. : Not available for a specific reference period. Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0456-01 Production and value of greenhouse vegetables |
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1.9. Farm gate value of greenhouse vegetables by province (thousands of Canadian dollars)
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 145 | 42 | 141 | 94 | 133 |
| Prince Edward Island | F/x | F/x | 8 | 1,897 | 1,902 |
| Nova Scotia | 8,433 | 8,012 | 7,516 | 4,793 | 9,227 |
| New Brunswick | 244 | 29 | 115 | 189 | 1,073 |
| Quebec | 36,568 | 98,861 | 128,839 | 143,496 | 148,162 |
| Ontario | 831,591 | 859,787 | 917,857 | 955,527 | 1,032,326 |
| Manitoba | 609 | 82 | 975 | 1,201 | 1,511 |
| Saskatchewan | 1,386 | 715 | 708 | 1,415 | 952 |
| Alberta | 53,584 | 54,689 | 69,386 | 81,003 | 85,256 |
| British Columbia | 296,577 | 294,435 | 289,930 | 296,885 | 305,413 |
| Canada1 | 1,295,856 | 1,331,163 | 1,437,089 | 1,512,118 | 1,587,417 |
Notes: 1. Totals may not add up as some data was suppressed to meet confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act. F/x: Too unreliable to be published or suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act. Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0456-01 Production and value of greenhouse vegetables |
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1.10. Farm gate value of greenhouse vegetables by commodity (thousands of Canadian dollars)
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | 514,251 | 537,032 | 555,196 | 569,574 | 588,519 |
| Cucumbers | 316,495 | 336,050 | 395,760 | 443,018 | 485,815 |
| Peppers | 420,539 | 409,980 | 421,873 | 428,451 | 441,680 |
| Lettuce | 28,769 | 27,366 | 32,036 | 33,941 | 35,396 |
| Eggplants | .. | 7,757 | 11,531 | 11,727 | 10,561 |
| Fine herbs | 0 | 3,559 | 8,576 | 7,066 | 10,349 |
| Other fruits or vegetables | 15,802 | 7,839 | 6,047 | 7,459 | 7,190 |
| Microgreens and shoots | .. | .. | 3,585 | 8,384 | 5,684 |
| Chinese vegetables | .. | 1,226 | 1,180 | 1,076 | 930 |
| Sprouts | .. | .. | 993 | 1,014 | 896 |
| Beans (green and wax) | .. | 353 | 313 | 406 | 399 |
| Total | 1,295,856 | 1,331,163 | 1,437,089 | 1,512,118 | 1,587,417 |
Note: .. : Not available for a specific reference period. Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0456-01 Production and value of greenhouse vegetables |
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2. Labour
2.1. Total number of employees of specialized greenhouse vegetable operations
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic provinces | Seasonal employees1 | 63 | 47 | 81 | 90 | 77 |
| Permanent employees2 | 58 | 56 | 83 | 89 | 119 | |
| Total employees | 121 | 103 | 164 | 179 | 196 | |
| Quebec | Seasonal employees1 | 467 | 549 | 463 | 404 | 400 |
| Permanent employees2 | 800 | 758 | 800 | 824 | 789 | |
| Total employees | 1,267 | 1,307 | 1,263 | 1,228 | 1,189 | |
| Ontario | Seasonal employees1 | 3,380 | 3,231 | 3,550 | 3,694 | 3,742 |
| Permanent employees2 | 3,400 | 4,183 | 4,438 | 4,352 | 4,533 | |
| Total employees | 6,780 | 7,414 | 7,988 | 8,046 | 8,275 | |
| Prairie provinces | Seasonal employees1 | 120 | 129 | 183 | 161 | 157 |
| Permanent employees2 | 385 | 373 | 669 | 680 | 701 | |
| Total employees | 505 | 502 | 852 | 841 | 858 | |
| British Columbia | Seasonal employees1 | 940 | 846 | 1,033 | 980 | 769 |
| Permanent employees2 | 1,265 | 1,311 | 1,268 | 1,151 | 1,205 | |
| Total employees | 2,205 | 2,157 | 2,301 | 2,131 | 1,974 | |
| Canada | Seasonal employees1 | 4,970 | 4,805 | 5,310 | 5,329 | 5,145 |
| Permanent employees2 | 5,908 | 6,701 | 7,254 | 7,096 | 7,347 | |
| Total employees | 10,878 | 11,506 | 12,564 | 12,425 | 12,492 | |
Notes: 1. Seasonal employees who worked less than 8 months during the year. 2. Permanent employees who worked more than 8 months during the year. Source: Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0028-01 Total number of employees of specialized greenhouse operations |
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3. Trade
3.1. Canadian greenhouse vegetable trade balance (thousands of Canadian dollars)
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exports | 827,500 | 862,769 | 964,121 | 1,001,911 | 1,107,804 |
| Import | 369,810 | 460,392 | 383,735 | 332,631 | 331,112 |
| Trade Balance (Exports - Imports) |
457,689 | 402,377 | 580,386 | 669,280 | 776,692 |
| Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, November 2020) | |||||
3.2. Exports
3.2.1. Canada's greenhouse vegetable exports by commodity – value (thousands of Canadian dollars)
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peppers | 329,947 | 317,935 | 331,568 | 352,869 | 420,415 |
| Tomatoes | 311,310 | 341,598 | 391,123 | 368,492 | 385,558 |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 186,242 | 203,236 | 241,431 | 280,549 | 301,831 |
| Total | 827,500 | 862,769 | 964,121 | 1,001,911 | 1,107,804 |
| Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, November 2020) | |||||
3.2.2. Canada's greenhouse vegetable exports by commodity – volume (metric tonnes)
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | 125,327 | 140,083 | 152,617 | 138,161 | 138,555 |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 93,631 | 96,310 | 104,038 | 114,215 | 118,594 |
| Peppers | 82,317 | 83,114 | 83,582 | 83,338 | 94,022 |
| Total | 301,275 | 319,507 | 340,237 | 335,714 | 351,171 |
| Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, November 2020) | |||||
3.2.3. Canada's greenhouse vegetable exports by province – value (thousands of Canadian dollars)
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Edward Island | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nova Scotia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| New Brunswick | 3 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Quebec | 5,766 | 6,970 | 11,616 | 17,775 | 18,549 |
| Ontario | 654,262 | 684,573 | 788,194 | 819,996 | 920,164 |
| Manitoba | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 8 |
| Alberta | 378 | 620 | 4,687 | 9,484 | 4,725 |
| British Columbia | 167,087 | 170,591 | 159,622 | 154,646 | 164,351 |
| Total | 827,500 | 862,769 | 964,121 | 1,001,911 | 1,107,804 |
| Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, November 2020) | |||||
3.2.4. Canada's greenhouse vegetable exports by province – volume (metric tonnes)
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Edward Island | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nova Scotia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| New Brunswick | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Québec | 4,370 | 4,394 | 4,906 | 5,185 | 4,839 |
| Ontario | 247,821 | 264,352 | 283,369 | 283,112 | 296,985 |
| Manitoba | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 |
| Alberta | 206 | 354 | 2,263 | 4,376 | 2,570 |
| British Columbia | 48,876 | 50,402 | 49,699 | 43,034 | 46,773 |
| Total | 301,275 | 319,507 | 340,237 | 335,714 | 351,171 |
| Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, November 2020) | |||||
3.2.5. Greenhouse vegetable destinations by commodity – value (thousands of Canadian dollars)
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Peppers | 329,693 | 317,559 | 330,817 | 352,053 | 419,512 |
| Tomatoes | 309,363 | 337,592 | 385,920 | 362,467 | 381,081 | |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 186,202 | 203,208 | 241,418 | 280,520 | 301,814 | |
| Total | 825,258 | 858,359 | 958,155 | 995,040 | 1,102,407 | |
| Japan | Tomatoes | 1,539 | 3,442 | 4,381 | 5,267 | 3,500 |
| Peppers | 0 | 15 | 337 | 574 | 672 | |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 1,556 | 3,456 | 4,718 | 5,841 | 4,172 | |
| Taiwan | Tomatoes | 261 | 503 | 630 | 626 | 790 |
| Peppers | 0 | 10 | 43 | 16 | 4 | |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 261 | 513 | 673 | 641 | 794 | |
| Hong Kong | Peppers | 174 | 316 | 277 | 213 | 203 |
| Tomatoes | 136 | 51 | 175 | 132 | 175 | |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 6 | 7 | 11 | 28 | 14 | |
| Total | 316 | 373 | 464 | 373 | 392 | |
| France | Peppers | 11 | 14 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Tomatoes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 11 | 15 | 9 | 11 | 13 | |
| Other countries | Peppers | 69 | 21 | 85 | 3 | 11 |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 11 | 11 | 16 | 1 | 13 | |
| Tomatoes | 17 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Total | 97 | 53 | 102 | 4 | 26 | |
| Total | Peppers | 329,947 | 317,935 | 331,568 | 352,869 | 420,415 |
| Tomatoes | 311,310 | 341,598 | 391,123 | 368,492 | 385,558 | |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 186,242 | 203,236 | 241,431 | 280,549 | 301,831 | |
| Total | 827,500 | 862,769 | 964,121 | 1,001,911 | 1,107,804 | |
| Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, November 2020) | ||||||
3.2.6. Greenhouse vegetable destinations by commodity – volume (metric tonnes)
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Tomatoes | 124,689 | 138,767 | 150,961 | 136,306 | 137,155 |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 93,615 | 96,301 | 104,034 | 114,205 | 118,588 | |
| Peppers | 82,243 | 82,990 | 83,377 | 83,130 | 93,792 | |
| Total | 300,547 | 318,059 | 338,372 | 333,641 | 349,535 | |
| Japan | Tomatoes | 505 | 1,135 | 1,397 | 1,613 | 1,085 |
| Peppers | 0 | 4 | 86 | 140 | 165 | |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 511 | 1,139 | 1,483 | 1,753 | 1,250 | |
| Taiwan | Tomatoes | 84 | 161 | 196 | 199 | 255 |
| Peppers | 0 | 3 | 13 | 4 | 1 | |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 84 | 164 | 208 | 203 | 256 | |
| Hong Kong | Peppers | 52 | 93 | 79 | 61 | 58 |
| Tomatoes | 45 | 16 | 58 | 43 | 55 | |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 6 | |
| Total | 99 | 112 | 142 | 113 | 119 | |
| France | Peppers | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Tomatoes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Other countries | Tomatoes | 4 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Peppers | 20 | 20 | 25 | 1 | 2 | |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 20 | 20 | 25 | 1 | 2 | |
| Total | 31 | 30 | 30 | 1 | 8 | |
| Total | Tomatoes | 125,327 | 140,083 | 152,617 | 138,161 | 138,555 |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 93,631 | 96,310 | 104,038 | 114,215 | 118,594 | |
| Peppers | 82,317 | 83,114 | 83,582 | 83,338 | 94,022 | |
| Total | 301,275 | 319,507 | 340,237 | 335,714 | 351,171 | |
| Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, November 2020) | ||||||
3.3. Imports
3.3.1. Canada's greenhouse vegetable imports by commodity – value (thousands of Canadian dollars)
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peppers | 129,741 | 172,910 | 140,311 | 138,543 | 147,434 |
| Tomatoes | 194,890 | 239,829 | 197,474 | 149,830 | 134,786 |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 44,348 | 46,885 | 45,088 | 43,705 | 48,489 |
| Lettuce | 794 | 721 | 863 | 553 | 402 |
| Cabbage lettuce, head lettuce | 38 | 47 | - | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 369,810 | 460,392 | 383,735 | 332,631 | 331,112 |
| Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, November 2020) | |||||
3.3.2. Canada's greenhouse vegetable imports by commodity –volume (metric tonnes)
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peppers | 38,086 | 45,415 | 43,567 | 49,453 | 47,204 |
| Tomatoes | 70,712 | 83,720 | 75,506 | 68,721 | 59,743 |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 25,063 | 25,305 | 23,473 | 23,775 | 24,197 |
| Lettuce | 284 | 317 | 374 | 181 | 111 |
| Cabbage lettuce, head lettuce | 27 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 134,171 | 154,792 | 142,919 | 142,131 | 131,256 |
| Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, November 2020) | |||||
3.3.3. Greenhouse vegetable import sources – value (thousands of Canadian dollars)
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Peppers | 105,933 | 144,679 | 124,743 | 121,986 | 122,664 |
| Tomatoes | 174,814 | 211,696 | 175,043 | 126,643 | 109,673 | |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 33,742 | 37,932 | 38,890 | 37,594 | 37,539 | |
| Lettuce | 5 | 9 | 2 | 46 | 16 | |
| Cabbage lettuce, head lettuce | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 314,495 | 394,317 | 338,678 | 286,268 | 269,892 | |
| United States | Tomatoes | 19,577 | 27,593 | 22,017 | 22,895 | 24,889 |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 8,134 | 6,186 | 5,102 | 5,025 | 9,354 | |
| Peppers | 4,776 | 7,224 | 6,209 | 6,390 | 7,787 | |
| Lettuce | 762 | 689 | 840 | 468 | 344 | |
| Cabbage lettuce, head lettuce | 36 | 46 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 33,285 | 41,738 | 34,167 | 34,778 | 42,373 | |
| Spain | Peppers | 14,807 | 16,059 | 5,093 | 7,478 | 10,533 |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 2,114 | 2,135 | 720 | 646 | 1,351 | |
| Lettuce | 0 | 0 | 12 | 14 | 4 | |
| Tomatoes | 23 | 110 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Cabbage lettuce, head lettuce | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 16,943 | 18,305 | 5,825 | 8,139 | 11,888 | |
| Netherlands | Tomatoes | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Cabbage lettuce, head lettuce | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Lettuce | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 21 | 419 | 227 | 283 | 82 | |
| Peppers | 156 | 1,529 | 1,238 | 1,151 | 3,120 | |
| Total | 178 | 1,948 | 1,468 | 1,434 | 3,202 | |
| Israel | Peppers | 1,633 | 1,752 | 76 | 463 | 326 |
| Tomatoes | 13 | 0 | 56 | 0 | 0 | |
| Cabbage lettuce, head lettuce | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Lettuce | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 1,646 | 1,774 | 132 | 463 | 326 | |
| Other countries | Peppers | 2,436 | 1,666 | 2,952 | 1,075 | 3,005 |
| Tomatoes | 463 | 429 | 355 | 292 | 225 | |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 336 | 192 | 149 | 156 | 164 | |
| Lettuce | 25 | 22 | 9 | 25 | 37 | |
| Cabbage lettuce, head lettuce | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 3,262 | 2,311 | 3,465 | 1,549 | 3,431 | |
| Total | Peppers | 129,741 | 172,910 | 140,311 | 138,543 | 147,434 |
| Tomatoes | 194,890 | 239,829 | 197,474 | 149,830 | 134,786 | |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 44,348 | 46,885 | 45,088 | 43,705 | 48,489 | |
| Lettuce | 794 | 721 | 863 | 553 | 402 | |
| Cabbage lettuce, head lettuce | 38 | 47 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 369,810 | 460,392 | 383,735 | 332,631 | 331,112 | |
| Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, November 2020) | ||||||
3.3.4. Greenhouse vegetable import sources – volume (metric tonnes)
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Peppers | 31,908 | 38,071 | 39,397 | 44,377 | 39,672 |
| Tomatoes | 63,058 | 73,401 | 67,488 | 59,124 | 49,910 | |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 20,583 | 21,686 | 21,009 | 21,337 | 19,744 | |
| Lettuce | 1 | 4 | 1 | 19 | 12 | |
| Cabbage lettuce, head lettuce | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 115,551 | 133,162 | 127,895 | 124,857 | 109,337 | |
| United States | Tomatoes | 7,400 | 10,138 | 7,882 | 9,500 | 9,759 |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 3,151 | 2,362 | 1,913 | 1,951 | 3,636 | |
| Peppers | 1,317 | 1,994 | 2,035 | 2,577 | 3,012 | |
| Lettuce | 278 | 309 | 366 | 158 | 96 | |
| Cabbage lettuce, head lettuce | 26 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 12,172 | 14,839 | 12,196 | 14,187 | 16,503 | |
| Spain | Peppers | 3,722 | 4,047 | 1,290 | 1,618 | 2,594 |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 1,149 | 951 | 352 | 308 | 657 | |
| Lettuce | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | |
| Tomatoes | 14 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Cabbage lettuce, head lettuce | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 4,885 | 5,031 | 1,646 | 1,928 | 3,252 | |
| Netherlands | Peppers | 26 | 381 | 338 | 365 | 805 |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 13 | 216 | 140 | 109 | 52 | |
| Lettuce | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Tomatoes | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Cabbage lettuce, head lettuce | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 39 | 597 | 480 | 474 | 856 | |
| Israel | Peppers | 421 | 490 | 28 | 94 | 63 |
| Tomatoes | 3 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | |
| Cabbage lettuce, head lettuce | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Lettuce | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 424 | 502 | 46 | 94 | 63 | |
| Other countries | Peppers | 691 | 432 | 479 | 423 | 1,059 |
| Tomatoes | 238 | 148 | 117 | 96 | 75 | |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 166 | 77 | 58 | 70 | 108 | |
| Lettuce | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | |
| Cabbage lettuce, head lettuce | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 1,100 | 661 | 656 | 591 | 1,244 | |
| Total | Peppers | 38,086 | 45,415 | 43,567 | 49,453 | 47,204 |
| Tomatoes | 70,712 | 83,720 | 75,506 | 68,721 | 59,743 | |
| Cucumbers and gherkins | 25,063 | 25,305 | 23,473 | 23,775 | 24,197 | |
| Lettuce | 284 | 317 | 374 | 181 | 111 | |
| Cabbage lettuce, head lettuce | 27 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 134,171 | 154,792 | 142,919 | 142,131 | 131,256 | |
| Source: Statistics Canada (CATSNET, November 2020) | ||||||
4. Key Resources
- Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0456-01 Production and value of greenhouse 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. CATSNET