While easting our Thanksgiving dinners, we got to thinking about root vegetables. Rutabagas, beets, and parsnips, are less common than potatoes, carrots, and onions, so we thought it would be interesting to explore these lesser-known root vegetables and their production in Canada.
Rutabagas: A Sales Surge Despite Lower Production
Rutabagas, also referred to as turnips or swedes, have their origins in the wilds of Scandinavia and became a dietary staple in Northern Europe by the 18th century.
European settlers brought these root vegetables to Canada, where they can be stored in cold cellars for several months, ensuring a supply during the winter months.
In 2023, Canadian farm gate sales of rutabagas reached an impressive $31 million for the fifth consecutive year, solidifying their position as Canada’s fifth most important root vegetable, following potatoes, onions, carrots, and shallots. This figure nearly doubled from $16 million in 2000.
However, the area dedicated to growing rutabagas has decreased for two consecutive years, down 6.4% in 2023 to 1,422 hectares 29% lower than the peak of 2003 hectares in 2002.
Consequently, marketed production fell for the tenth consecutive year, decreasing by 13.6% to 35,860 tonnes in 2023, a third less than the record 54,244 tonnes harvested in 2011.
Most rutabagas were produced in Ontario and Quebec, which together accounted for about 76% of total production.
The Sweet Appeal of Beets
Beets, cultivated since ancient Egyptian and Roman times, saw Canadian farmers achieve record sales of $24 million in 2023 an impressive increase from $6 million in 2000.
Although the marketed production of beets has declined over the last three years from a high of 46,113 tonnes in 2020 to 42,206 tonnes in 2023, it still exceeds the 19,350 tonnes produced in 2002. Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia are the primary producers, generating over 90% of the total output.
Parsnips: A Flavourful Addition
Parsnips originated in Eurasia. In 2023, Canadian farmers sold $8.4 million worth of parsnips, reflecting a 25% increase from 2021 and a 15.7% decline from the record set in 2014.
Marketable production rose by 5.1% to 5,126 tonnes in 2023, though it remains 44.9% lower than the 2014 high of 9,304 tonnes.
Newcomer: Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes have recently emerged as a commercially grown root vegetable in Canada. In 2023, farm gate sales increased by 15.2% to $18.2 million, making them the ninth most valuable root vegetable, following garlic and beets.
Production also rose by 8% to 15,253 tonnes, with Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia being the main contributors.