Fruit and vegetable production

Fruit and vegetable growers alike were hit by poor weather conditions across Canada in 2002, as the impact of either a cold spring or a hot, dry summer cut yields for many crops.

Farmers planted an estimated 296,000 acres in vegetable crops (excluding potatoes) in 2002, down 9% from 2001, according to the annual Fruit and Vegetable Survey covering 9,800 growers. Total fruit acreage declined slightly to an estimated 251,000 acres.

The unseasonable weather hit two crops in particular. Production of sweet corn, the most widely planted vegetable, declined 11% to 599 million pounds. Ontario and Quebec alone accounted for almost 90% of Canada's total sweet corn area of just over 79,000 acres.

Apple production tumbled 15% to 909 million pounds. Ontario was the nation's largest apple-producing province with 22,000 acres, 36% of the total of 60,595 acres. Growers in Ontario were hit by an unseasonably cold spring that cut their yield a substantial 27% to 390 million pounds. Those in southern Ontario were hardest hit because trees blossomed early. Rain and snow during April and May caused extensive damage to the blossoms.

Ontario accounted for just over one-half (52%) of the total acreage in vegetables; Quebec, 33%; Western Canada, 11%; and the Atlantic provinces, 4%.

Farmers planted an estimated 149,000 acres in the three main vegetable crops: sweet corn, green peas and beans. The acreage in sweet corn fell 10%; green peas area was down 2% and beans area was down 8%.

Among Canada's fruit crops, blueberries, apples and grapes were the largest, totalling an estimated 195,000 acres, 78% of total fruit acreage.

Blueberry production nationwide declined 8% to 140 million pounds in 2002. Of Canada's total blueberry crop of 108,645 acres, Nova Scotia accounted for 38,180 acres, followed closely by Quebec, with 32,375 acres.

Quebec farmers alone experienced a 25% decline in blueberry production in 2002 due to a lack of rain during the growing season.

Grape production across Canada declined to 148 million pounds in 2002. Farmers reported a total of 25,750 acres in grapes. Ontario growers accounted for 69% of the area and British Columbia farmers 28%.

In Ontario, hot temperatures during the summer caused a 13% decrease in grape production. But the quality was excellent, and the vintage for 2002 was expected to be the best on record, particularly for red wines. Grape production in British Columbia increased 45%, and the quality was also excellent.

Available on CANSIM: tables 001-0009 and 001-0013.

The February 2003 issue of Fruit and vegetable production (22-003-XIB, $23/$46), which is published twice a year in June and February, will be available soon. A print-on-demand service is also available at a different price. It can be ordered directly from .

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Brent Wilson (613-951-0730), Agriculture Division.