For fruit, BC is a major source for apples, blueberries, and cranberries. The 2012 apple harvest was the biggest since 2008, despite a significant plunge nationwide. Blueberry production has amped up every year since 2007 and the province’s bounty represents 43 percent of Canada’s blueberry supply. Cranberries weighed in slightly more than 41,000 tons, and contributed nearly one-third to the country’s entire crop. Also available from this Pacific coast region are stone fruits like cherries, apricots, and plums.
Dry weather and hail in 2013 were the province’s biggest climatic concerns, according to the Agri-Food Trade Service of Canada. It was so dry at times landowners were on high alert for wildfires, while a violent hailstorm east of Kelowna in August 2013 destroyed crops, with damages rising to $6 million—not including possible damage to 2014 perennials.
Manitoba
Manitoba is a potato-producing middle- weight, dedicating 72,000 acres to 24 varieties in 2013. While this midwestern province is a major player in the potato industry, on average just 7 percent is destined for the fresh market, reports Manitoba Agriculture and Food.
Of this, “reds” are abundantly grown, with a sprinkling of russets and yellow-flesh varieties.
Carberry, Portage, Winkler, and Treherne are the primary growing regions. A bumper crop in 2008 set an export record, with potatoes valued at $30 million shipped to the United States. Manitoba potatoes are harvested in September, when ambient temperatures hold between 45 and 60 degrees.
Ample clean water, enough summer warmth, and ideal soil conditions allow this region to grow an impressive range of over 110 other vegetables. Among the more popular are broccoli, carrots, onions, sweet corn, cabbage, and cauliflower, though carrots, onions, corn, and cabbage are at the top in terms of production value (after potatoes).
Ontario
While Canada is a country of differing landscapes, Ontario is its most productive growing region with over 50,000 farms. It is particularly well suited to vegetable production, with a variety of seasonal commodities including sweet corn, potatoes, peas, beans, tomatoes, onions, carrots, and mushrooms topping the list. Top annual earners by farm gate value include tomatoes ($67.5 million), carrots ($42.3 million), dry onions ($31.1 million), and corn ($30.5 million).
