2017 Alberta Agri-Food Exports

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.

2017 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 2017, Alberta agri-food exports rose 12.3 per cent to a record $11.2 billion. Gains were reported for both primary commodities and value added products.
• Alberta continues to be the third largest exporter of agri-food products in Canada, after Saskatchewan and Ontario.
• Value added exports continues to grow, up 10.6 per cent to $5.6 billion, and represented almost one-half of Alberta's total agri-food exports. Higher exports of crude canola oil, canola cake and meal, beef, pork and other products contributed to the increase.
• Exports of primary commodities, at $5.7 billion, increased 14 per cent over 2016, and accounted for just over one-half of the Alberta total. The growth was a result of larger exports of wheat, barley, pulses and canola seed.
• Wheat returned as the number one export product, after ranking second in 2016. Canola seed was the second largest export, followed by beef, crude canola oil and live cattle.
• The United States remained Alberta's largest export market, followed by China, Japan, Mexico and South Korea.