Potato production in Canada broke records in 2021 with an estimated 123,054,000 hundredweight (cwt). This is up 18.9 million cwt or 18.2% above 2020.
Higher production was expected as Canadian growers responded to increased demand. Growers planted an additional 26,500 acres and due to favourable weather conditions during the harvest season, most parts of the country were able to harvest the vast majority (98.9%) of the total seeded area.
Nationally, the average yield increased to 322.2 cwt per acre in 2021 – up 10.1% from 2020.
Below are comments on individual provinces according to Statistics Canada.
Prince Edward Island
- Estimated production of 28,510,000 cwt – up 35.8% from 2020
- Yield per acre is the highest yield on record at an estimated 334 cwt/acre
- The largest planted acreage in Canada with 86,000 acres (23.3%)
New Brunswick
- Estimated production of 18,200,000 cwt – up 58.3% from 2020
- 58.3% – the largest percentage increase in potato production over previous year
- Excellent yields of 350 cwt/acre (compared to last year’s 237 cwt/acre)
- Growers planted 53,000 acres in the Spring
Quebec
- Estimated production of 14,587,000 cwt – up 14.4% from 2020
- Estimated yields of 307 cwt/acre (compared to last year’s 286 cwt/acre)
- Growers planted 2,385 acres in the Spring
Ontario
- Estimated production of 8,953,000 cwt – up 19.1% from 2020
- Estimated yields of 240 cwt/acre (compared to last year’s 210 cwt/acre)
- Additional 1.4 million cwt is the result of an excellent growing season and increased acreage
- Acreage increased by 1,800 acres for increased chip volume
Manitoba
- Estimated production of 24,180,000 cwt
- Estimated yields lowered to 310 cwt/acre (compared to last year’s 337 cwt/acre) due to hot dry weather
- Growers increased acreage to 78,000 acres in the Spring
- 100% of crops were harvested and accommodates for 19.6% of Canada’s production this year
Saskatchewan
- Estimated production of 1,519,000 cwt – up 8.5% from 2020
- Estimated yields of 245 cwt/acre (compared to last year’s 233 cwt/acre)
- Growers planted 6,200 acres in the Spring and harvested all crops
Alberta
- Estimated production of 24,614,00 cwt – up 5.2% from 2020
- Produced 20% of Canada’s potato crop this year
- Estimated yields were unfortunately at its lowest in recent years with 363 cwt/acre
- Growers increased acreage to 68,450 acres in the Spring
British Columbia
- Estimated production of 2,080,000 cwt
- Estimated yields lowered to 325 cwt/acre (compared to last year’s 332 cwt/acre) due to heavy rains
- Growers planted 6,500 acres in the Spring