Fruit and vegetable production

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Sales of fruits and vegetables by Canadian farmers were up 7.1% in 2011 from 2010 to $1.5 billion.

Fruit growers reported that sales increased 14.3% to $753 million, while vegetable sales rose 0.9% to $780 million.

Most of the 14.3% increase in 2011 fruit sales was a result of blueberry sales, up 36.4%, and cranberry sales, up 25.7%. Increased production was the main factor for increased sales in blueberries and cranberries.

Farmers in Ontario and Quebec accounted for more than 80% of vegetable sales. The vast majority of fruit sales came from British Columbia (37.7%), Ontario (27.0%) and Quebec (23.1%).

Farmers planted 534,024 acres in fruits and vegetables in 2011, a 1.5% decline from 2010. Vegetable area fell 6.1% to 234,942 acres, mainly because of weather conditions. The largest contributors to the decrease in vegetable area were sweet corn, with 10.2% fewer acres, and beans, with 15.5% fewer acres. Farmers planted 299,082 acres in fruits, up 2.4%. Blueberry plantings were mainly responsible for the increased fruit area.

Production of fruits rose 9.5% while vegetable production declined 2.5%. Three crops accounted for most of the increased production in fruits: blueberries, apples and cranberries. The main vegetables contributing to the decrease in production were tomatoes, which fell 4.4%, and cucumbers and gherkins, which decreased 23.4%.

Available without charge in CANSIM: tables 001-0009 and 001-0013.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey numbers, including related surveys, 3407 and 3411.

The February 2012 issue of Fruit and Vegetable Production, Vol. 80, no. 2 (22-003-X, free), which is published twice a year in June and February, is now available from the Key resource module of our website under Publications.

For more information or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Lorie Shinder (613-951-0524; lorie.shinder@statcan.gc.ca), Agriculture Division.