Industry Snapshot: Canada’s tomato industry nears $1 billion in value

Toronto – September 21, 2021 – Statistics Canada has released its latest infographics on trends in the Canadian tomato sector, revealing an industry producing nearly $1 billion in value and exporting over 172 million kilograms (kg) of product in 2020.

Greenhouse production stood at 256.4 million kg and edged out field production value by more than $500 million. Ontario continues to be the top producer of greenhouse tomatoes netting 181.8 million kg in 2020.

In terms of export destinations, the U.S. continues to be the biggest market for Canadian tomatoes at 151.3 million kg, with the next largest importer being Japan at only 1.5 million kg.

Domestically, the average retail price for tomatoes was highest in Newfoundland and Labrador at 7.33/kg and lowest in Ontario at 5.50/kg.

There is no better time to get into this growing and highly productive industry, and with UFCW Canada’s webCampus online learning platform offering free and accessible training for members, you can the learn the requirements to be a skilled horticulturalist.

To learn more about the Horticulturalist Pre-Apprenticeship Program, click here. To view our full suite of pre-apprenticeship training courses, visit the webCampus website.