Greenhouse Vegetable Production in Canada

Greenhouse vegetable production in Canada

Greenhouse fruit and vegetables accounted for $1.6 billion in farm cash receipts in 2019, an increase of 5.0% from 2018. Sales of greenhouse fruit and vegetables have increased for the sixth consecutive year. Canadian greenhouse vegetable exports rose 4% to reach over $1.0 billion in 2018, accounting for 42% of all fresh produce (fruit, greenhouse and field vegetables, potato) exports.

  • Number of fruit and vegetable greenhouse farms in Canada: 837
  • Harvested area: 1800 ha (4,470 acres)
  • Production volume: 679,465 metric tons
  • Total employees, annual direct jobs: 12,529 (seasonal and permanent)
  • Total employees, seasonal: 5,045
  • Total exports – greenhouse tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers: $1.4 billion
  • Top 3 export destinations:
    • United States
    • Japan,
    • Taiwan
  • Farm Gate Value: $1.8 billion
    • Top sales by province:
      • Ontario: 66%;
      • BC: 17%;
      • Quebec: 7.5%;
      • Alberta: 6.4%
    • Top sales by commodity ($CDN x 1,000):
      • Tomato: $665,948 (36.5%);
      • Cucumbers: $518,159 (28.4%);
      • Peppers: $512,364 (28.1%);
      • Lettuce: $63,963 (3.5%);
      • Strawberries: $35,099 (1.9%);
      • Eggplants: $15,178 (0.8%);
      • Fresh fine herbs: $12,154 (0.7%)
      • Green and wax beans: $924 (0.1%)
  • Green indicates an increase from the previous reporting period.
  • Red indicates a decrease from the previous reporting period.