Growing
Our
Economy

Find out how farmers are taking advantage of technological innovations to grow stronger, healthier, more abundant crops that drive economic growth.

Canada’s agricultural industry makes us a highly sought-after global trade partner. Not only does the industry provide high-quality and sustainably produced food for our country, but as a net food exporter, Canada supports food security around the world. Our agricultural excellence comes with economic benefits:

• Farmers would grow $9.2 billion less worth of crops a year without plant science innovations. This includes $7.7 billion less worth of field crops, $1 billion less worth of fruits and vegetables and $460 million less worth of potatoes.
• If Canada’s farmers could no longer use crop protection products Canada’s GDP would drop by $3 billion and economy-wide revenues would fall by $9.9 billion.
• Plant breeding has a proven track record for increasing crop productivity and is responsible for 50% of the productivity increases over the last century.
• Without plant science innovations, Canada’s net agri-food trade balance could have been as much as 72% lower ($8.5 billion fewer exports) in 2018/19.
• The development of pesticides and plant breeding innovations drive significant economic activity, with a combined: over $3 billion in GDP per year, and creating 20,400 jobs and $863 million in wages.

All the data presented on this site comes from the The Value of Plant Science Innovations to Canadians in 2020 report and the 2021 Census of Agriculture.