Canadian production of berries

Cherries, strawberries, and saskatoons for sale in Creston, BC
Creston, BC
For sale, Atwater Market, Montreal, Qc
Atwater Market, Montreal, QC
Strawberry field, Sainte-Famille, QC
Strawberries for sale, Little Italy, Montreal, QC
Little Italy, Montreal, QC

Berry-growing in Canada is mostly confined to its rainiest areas, although a lesser amount is grown elsewhere. Most berries are grown in southwest British Columbia, except lowbush blueberry which is almost only grown in The Maritimes.[1] Significant amounts of strawberries are grown in southern Ontario, southern Quebec, and the southern part of the Maritimes, and smaller amounts around urban areas of the Prairies.[1] Cranberry production has recently increased in BC and the east[2][1] and as of 2016 is the second most exported berry by value at CAN$ 88,469,000.[3] Blueberry is the most important, indeed top among all fruits in the country, by – cultivated area, 79,515 hectares (196,490 acres) – farm gate value, CAN$ 261,532,000 – and export value, CAN$ 422,441,000.[3] Grape (in some ways a berry crop) is third by – cultivated area, 12,480 hectares (30,800 acres) – and farm gate, CAN$ 151,093,000.[3] Cherry (sometimes grouped with berries) is third in export value at CAN$ 82,841,000[3]

British Columbia

Common crops include blueberry, strawberry (and grape, often called "berries" in the industry). The Provincial government provides information[4] including production guides for blackberry, blueberry, cranberry, currant, gooseberry, raspberry, and strawberry.[5][6]

The Pacific North West – including BC – produces much of the world's raspberries.[1]

The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako recommends sources for information and practices in the area.[7]

Insurance is provided through the province.[8]

Manitoba

The industry is represented by the Prairie Fruit Growers Association, formerly the Strawberry Growers Association of Manitoba.[9]

There is no blueberry domesticated industry.[10] Instead semi-wild stands are planted and managed and may form the basis of a larger industry in the future.[10]

The provincial government provides information for production of raspberry.[11]

Saskatoonberry could be a much larger industry.[12] There is high demand and little supply.[12] The provincial government provides production information.[12]

Strawberry is the berry with the largest acreage in the province.[9] The Strawberry Growers Association of Manitoba was founded in 1972 and is now the Prairie Fruit Growers Association.[9] The provincial government provides production information.[9]

There is only a niche market for currant, gooseberry, highbush cranberry, pincherry, sea buckthorn, and silver buffaloberry.[13] The government provides production recommendations for these bush fruits.[13]

Quebec

36% of the country's strawberries are grown here, the highest for any province or territory.[14] APFFdQ recommends[15] cultivars for the province.

APFFdQ also recommends raspberry cultivars for the province.[16]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Cultivated Berries". The Canadian Encyclopedia. 2015-03-04. Retrieved 2022-08-21.
  2. ↑ "Statistical Overview of the Canadian Fruit Industry 2020". Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. 2019. Retrieved 2022-08-21.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Fruit Production in Canada". The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada – The voice of Canadian fruit and vegetable growers. 2022. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  4. ↑ "Berries". Province of British Columbia. 2013. Retrieved 2022-08-21.
  5. ↑ "Berries". Province of British Columbia. 2018-08-15. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  6. ↑ "Commodity Berry" (PDF). May 2014. pp. 1–3. 870.218-6. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  7. ↑ "Fruit & Berries". Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, BC. 2019. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  8. ↑ "Production Insurance - Berries". Province of British Columbia. 2014. Retrieved 2022-08-21.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Province of Manitoba | agriculture - Strawberry Production in Manitoba". Province of Manitoba. Retrieved 2022-08-21.
  10. 1 2 "Province of Manitoba | agriculture - Blueberry Production in Manitoba". Province of Manitoba. Retrieved 2022-08-21.
  11. ↑ "Province of Manitoba | agriculture - Raspberry Production in Manitoba". Province of Manitoba. Retrieved 2022-08-21.
  12. 1 2 3 "Province of Manitoba | agriculture - Saskatoon Production in Manitoba". Province of Manitoba. Retrieved 2022-08-21.
  13. 1 2 "Province of Manitoba | agriculture - Bush Fruit Production in Manitoba". Province of Manitoba. Retrieved 2022-08-21.
  14. ↑ Elmhirst, Janice (April 2005). "Crop Profile for Strawberry in Canada". Pesticide Risk Reduction Program, Pest Management Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. A118-10/17-2005E-PDF. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  15. ↑ "Les Fraîches". Strawberry and Raspberry Growers Association of Quebec (APFFdQ) (in French). 2022-06-08. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  16. ↑ "Les Fraîches". Strawberry and Raspberry Growers Association of Quebec (APFFdQ) (in French). 2019-06-17. Retrieved 2022-07-04.