Agri-Food Industry
We are happy to provide you with detailed information on
programs, services and incentives, workforce demographics,
educational programs and any other key data you require on our
agri-food sector. Please contact us at +1.403.356.4862 with your
requests.
Located to grow
Central Alberta's agri-business sector includes livestock,
plant, food processing, natural health products and biofuels.
Because of our access to low-cost supplies, fertile black soil and
favourable climate conditions, we are a thriving centre for
agricultural processing with tremendous growth opportunities.
In addition to a long history of agriculture in the region and
our rich arable land, we also offer attractive incentive programs for agri-food
businesses and the most competitive
operating environment for this industry in all of
Western Canada - with a 3.1% operating cost advantage to the
U.S.
Processing operations
We are home to over 300 agricultural processors and almost
one-third of the province's feed manufacturers.
There are over 20 meat processing facilities - including the
largest pork processing facility in the province and Alberta's only
federally inspected processing facility for lamb - and three major agri-food
research centres in the region.
Key Facts
- In 2010, our top five agri-food exports were wheat, beef,
canola seed, cattle and pork.
- We are Canada's largest producer of cattle, hogs and poultry,
accounting for over 19% of Alberta's total market value of $970
million.
- Central Alberta is the province's largest producer of barley
(21.5%).
- Meat snacks, replacement products, protein concentrates and pet
food ingredients are prime candidates for investment in the
region.
- Accelerated growth is anticipated in bio-lubricants, composite
materials and biofuels.
- Alberta is Canada's second largest exporter of agri-food
products with 20.7% of Canada's total agri-food exports headed to
the U.S., Australia, Japan and China.
- We are home to Western Canada's largest indoor/outdoor
agriculture exhibition, Agri-Trade.