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StatsCan shares updated 2020 potato production information
February 26, 2021 By Potatoes in Canada
Statistics Canada has released updated data for 2020 potato production.
While the total Canadian seeded acres was lower than the amount seeded in 2019, it was still more than 10,000 acres greater than in 2018. As well, the harvested acres – both in cumulative acres and proportion to seeded acres – is higher than three of the preceding four years: 2017 (98.9 per cent) wins out over 2020 (98.7 per cent )by 0.2 per cent.
The data shows what most potato farmers could probably tell you – after two rough years (and one “harvest from hell”), the 2020 season was a welcome year of strong potato production performance.
Potato production, all of Canada
|
2016 |
2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
2020 |
|
| Seeded acres |
346,415 |
343,988 | 348,551 | 362,095 |
359,480 |
| Harvested acres |
340,630 |
340,070 | 330,502 | 341,844 |
354,882 |
| Harvested percentage of seeded acres |
98.3% |
98.9% | 94.8% | 94.4% |
98.7% |
| Average yield from harvested acres (lb./ac) |
30,890 |
31,370 | 31,000 | 30,890 |
29,370 |
In terms of production by province, Prince Edward Island tops the list at 83,500 acres harvested. Manitoba (71,200 ac) and Alberta (57,937) round out the top three. Alberta gets special mention for being the only province with an average yield of more than 40,000 lb./ac.
The proportion of harvested acres compared to seeded acres is strong across the country. The lowest harvested percentage of seeded acres was in Quebec at 96 per cent, which is still an excellent amount.
Potato production by province (2020)
|
Seeded acres |
Harvested acres | Harvested percentage of seeded acres |
Average yield of harvested acres (lb./ac) |
|
| Newfoundland and Labrador |
325 |
325 | 100% |
16,920* |
| Prince Edward Island |
83,600 |
83,500 | 99.9% |
25,150 |
| Nova Scotia |
1,200 |
1,200 | 100% |
25,000 |
| New Brunswick |
48,540 |
48,450 | 99.9% |
23,740 |
| Quebec |
45,638 |
43,970 | 96% |
29,340 |
| Ontario |
36,500 |
35,800 | 98% |
21,000 |
| Manitoba |
71,500 |
71,200 | 99.6% |
33,710 |
| Saskatchewan |
6,000 |
6,000 | 100% |
23,330 |
| Alberta |
59,677 |
57,937 | 97% |
40,400 |
| British Columbia |
6,500 |
6,500 | 100% |
33,150 |
*Statistics Canada notes to use this figure with caution.
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