Agriculture & Agri-Foods

Alberta has one of the world’s most productive agricultural economies, with a total farm area of 50.5 million acres or 20.4 million hectares used for crop and livestock production.

Central Alberta is the province’s second-largest agricultural region.

Central Alberta offers the most competitive operating environment for this industry in all of Western Canada; with an over 3% operating cost advantage compared to the U.S.

Located to Grow

Central Alberta’s agri-business sector includes livestock, plant, food processing, natural health products and biofuels. Because of our access to low-cost supplies, fertile black soil and favourable climate conditions, we are a thriving centre for agricultural processing with tremendous growth opportunities.

In addition to a long history of agriculture in the region and our rich arable land, we also offer attractive incentive programs for agri-food businesses and the most competitive operating environment for this industry in all of Western Canada – with an over 3% operating cost advantage to the U.S.

Processing Operations

We are home to over 300 agricultural processors and almost one-third of the province’s feed manufacturers.

There are over 20 meat processing facilities – including the largest pork processing facility in the province and Alberta’s only federally inspected processing facility for lamb – and 3 major agri-food research centres in the region. Local facilities produce and distribute: malting and brewing supplies, ethanol and bio-fuel, premium livestock and pet feed, and premium meats developed exclusively to international preferences.

Major Employers in Agriculture and Agri-Foods

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Key Facts

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Central Alberta produces over 24% of Alberta’s barley

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Over 41% of all dairy cows are located in Central Alberta

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International exports for agri-food products increased 14% from 2011

In 2010, our top five agri-food exports were wheat, beef, canola seed, cattle and pork. Top destinations for these exports were the United States ($3 billion), China ($1.6 billion), and Japan ($1.3 billion).
We are Canada’s largest producer of cattle, hogs and poultry, accounting for over 19% of Alberta’s total market value of $970 million.
Central Alberta produces over 24% of Alberta’s barley, 15% of the canola, 16% of the alfalfa and 13% of the wheat crops.
Meat snacks, replacement products, protein concentrates and pet food ingredients are prime candidates for investment in the region.
Accelerated growth is anticipated in bio-lubricants, composite materials and biofuels.
Alberta is Canada’s second largest exporter of agri-food products with 20.7% of Canada’s total agri-food exports headed to the U.S., Australia, Japan and China.
We are home to Agri-Trade Equipment Exposition, Western Canada’s largest indoor/outdoor agriculture exhibition.

Alberta’s primary agriculture GDP was $3.7 billion, with crop and livestock production accounting for $3.6 billion.
International exports for agri-food products reach $9.2 billion, an increase of 14% from 2011.
Alberta’s food processing sector’s GDP grew by 13% to $2.3 billion over the past 10 years. Employment in the same time increased from 1,7000 to 2,370 jobs.
The value of Central Alberta’s livestock is over $775 million.
Over 41% of all dairy cows are located in Central Alberta.
The average farm size is 785 acres.
The region’s 9,100 farms cover 7.1 million acres.
Farm receipts valued $1.99 billion in 2011, an increase of 14% from 2005.

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Agriculture & Agri-Foods

Located to Grow

Processing Operations

Major Employers in Agriculture and Agri-Foods

Key Facts

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