| | Agri-Food Statistics Update - Issue No: EXP17-1
Collected from a variety of sources, the Statistics and Data Development Section monitors statistical indicators of agri-food activity for Alberta. The Agri-Food Statistics Update is designed to provide users with commentary on current issues, trends and new developments related to agriculture and the food and beverage processing industries. Up-to-date statistics are supplemented with informative charts and diagrams. To gauge Alberta’s performance, comparative data and information are often available for Canada and the provinces.
This update presents the latest annual international trade statistics released by Statistics Canada. The information is preliminary and subject to revision.
International trade statistics are compiled by Statistics Canada according to the "General" system of trade defined by the Statistical Office of the United Nations. Under this system, domestic exports include all goods grown, extracted or manufactured in Canada, including goods of foreign origin, which have been materially transformed in Canada. Trade statistics are classified and published according to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonized System or HS). The HS is a product classification system used by almost all countries in reporting export and import statistics.
Export statistics are developed from administrative records of Customs. Customs based export statistics may understate and/or incorrectly portray the destination of exports.
Note to Users: The contents of this document may not be used or reproduced without properly accrediting Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Economics and Competitiveness Branch, Statistics and Data Development Section.
2016 Alberta Agri-Food Exports
Agri-food exports refer to exports of primary agricultural commodities (animals and crops) and processed agricultural and food products (value added exports). The latter includes: food, beverages, animal feed and inedible crude animal and plant products.
Key Messages
- In 2016, Alberta agri-food exports, worth $10.0 billion were about 2.0 per cent lower than the 2015 record of $10.2 billion.
- Alberta continues to be the third largest exporter of agri-food products in Canada, after Saskatchewan and Ontario.
- Value added exports rose for the third consecutive year, up 4.9 per cent to $5.04 billion, and represented over one-half of Alberta’s total agri-food exports. Higher exports of crude canola oil, dairy, honey, processed potatoes and other value added products contributed to the increase.
- Exports of primary commodities, at $4.96 billion, fell 7.9 per cent from 2015, and accounted for 49.6 per cent of the Alberta total. The decline was a result of lower exports of major grains.
- Wheat, traditionally Alberta’s number one export product, ranked second in 2016. Canola seed became the largest export, followed by wheat and beef. Exports of wheat declined in both value and quantity, while canola seed increased.
- Beef exports were up in quantity while value was down, owing to weak prices. Exports of live cattle rose over the 2015 low. Also, exports of live hogs increased, while pork exports rose in value and fell in quantity.
- The United States continues to be Alberta’s largest export market, followed by China, Japan and Mexico.
For a complete copy of the update, please download the .pdf file. |
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