Canada's varied climate creates unique opportunities for innovative and technological advances that help ensure a year-round supply of vegetables. These innovations include a thriving greenhouse sector and some of the most advanced storage technologies in the world.

There are approximately 15,000 vegetable growers in Canada , who in 2002 produced almost seven million tonnes of vegetables worth $2.4 billion at the farm gate. Twenty per cent of these growers produce close to 80 per cent of Canada 's production. In 2002, greenhouse vegetable production was 350,000 tonnes, worth almost $610 million. This represents a 20 per cent increase over two years and almost two and a half times that of the previous five years (Source: AAFC).

Exports of fresh vegetables (excluding potatoes) have grown 70 per cent between 1999 and 2004, to 511,822 tonnes. In 2004, Canada also exported close to 427,970 tonnes of table and seed potatoes to markets all over the world.

The potato is the most important vegetable crop in Canada , accounting for 63 per cent of all vegetable farm cash receipts in 2002 (Source: AAFC). Potatoes, along with sweet corn, green peas and beans (green and wax) are the most extensively grown vegetables in this country. Almost 4.6 million metric tonnes of potatoes were grown in 2002. More than half of the potatoes grown in that year were processed, most of them into french fries.

There is opportunity for growth in the vegetable industry in Saskatchewan. Although Saskatchewan residents consume approximately 75.5 million kilograms of fresh and processed vegetables (excluding potatoes) every year, the province commercially produces only 7.8 million kilograms of vegetables (Source: Saskatchewan Agrivision Corporation Inc.) The province is home to approximately 140 vegetable producers, who sell into the wholesale market, directly to restaurants, and at farmers' markets and market gardens.

Saskatchewan exports of fresh vegetables have remained fairly stable over the past four years, while exports of potatoes (seed and table) have been variable.

Although potato exports appear to have decreased in 2004, actual production has remained fairly stable. Packaging capacity increased within Saskatchewan giving the appearance of a decrease in exports. Producers are exporting fewer table potatoes to Alberta and Manitoba , choosing instead to sell them within Saskatchewan where they are packaged and resold outside the province. This process gives the statistical appearance of domestic consumption, when in fact the product is exported.

While vegetables are grown in Saskatchewan on a field scale, the most significant one grown in this province is the potato, both seed and table. The production of superior quality seed potato varieties has opened opportunities in international markets, such as the United States and Mexico . This has resulted in a six fold increase in acreage, from 1,000 acres in 1989 to 6,700 acres in 2004. In 2004, the seed potato industry was valued at approximately $20 million. Major buyers of Saskatchewan seed potatoes include Idaho, Washington, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

The table potato industry has remained relatively constant over the past 10 years, with acreage hovering around 5,000 acres. At present, there are two main potato packing operations in Saskatchewan's table potato sector - Martin's Produce in Saskatoon and Riverside Gardens in Craven.

In addition to these larger packing companies, there are a number of individuals who grow, pack and sell potatoes. The estimated value of the table potato industry in 2004 was about $5 million.

According to Statistics Canada's 2003 Greenhouse Industry Survey, Saskatchewan has 175 commercial greenhouse operations. The area of production is estimated at approximately 35 to 37 acres. The total number of employees in the greenhouse industry in Saskatchewan is estimated at 1,635 people.