Alberta Agriculture Statistics Yearbook, 2012
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sales. Of total Canadian food manufacturing sales in 2012 ($87.3 billion), the province ranked third (13.6 per cent),
surpassed only by Ontario (39.9 per cent) and Quebec (23.4 per cent).
Agri-Food Exports
Alberta exports of primary and processed agricultural and food products reached a record $9.2 billion in 2012, up 14.3 per
cent from 2011. This gain was largely attributed to a substantial increase in primary commodity exports (animals and crops),
as well as higher value added exports (food, beverages, animal feeds, and crude animal and plant products). The province
was the third largest exporter of agri-food products among Canada’s provinces, accounting for one-fifth (21.0 per cent) of the
national total ($43.9 billion), and was surpassed only by Saskatchewan and Ontario. The leading export destinations for
Alberta agri-food products continued to be the United States ($3.0 billion or 32.2 per cent of total exports), China ($1.6 billion
or 17.9 per cent), Japan ($1.3 billion or 14.6 per cent), Mexico ($632.6 million or 6.9 per cent), and South Korea ($174.0
million or 1.9 per cent).
Exports of primary commodities jumped 22.3 per cent to $5.5 billion in 2012. The increase was driven by high commodity
prices and increased export quantities. Substantial increases were reported for all major grains, pulses, and oilseeds.
Exports of value added products increased at a lower rate of 4.0 per cent to $3.7 billion. The top five Alberta agri-food
exports in 2012 were wheat ($2.3 billion), canola seed ($1.9 billion), beef and veal ($852.1 million), crude canola oil ($630.0
million), and live cattle excluding purebred ($588.3 million).
Livestock
Total cattle and calves on Alberta farms were estimated at 5.4 million head as of July 1, 2012, down marginally by 0.1 per
cent from July 1, 2011. Despite the decline in total inventory, the number of beef heifers rose for the third consecutive year,
suggesting some herd replenishment. Some of the factors encouraging this growth were relatively strong cattle prices and
favourable pasture conditions. Alberta led the nation in cattle and calf inventories and accounted for 40.0 per cent of the
national herd. As of July 1, 2012, there were an estimated 1.4 million pigs on Alberta farms, up 0.7 per cent from 2011, as
the inventory gain for total market hogs more than offset a decline in breeding stock. Pig inventories continued to be
impacted by high feed costs and a strong Canadian dollar. The provincial sheep and lamb flock shrunk 1.0 per cent, to
201,000
head, mainly due to a decline in market lamb prices, high feed costs, and increased marketings. Among provinces,
Alberta ranked first in cattle and calves inventories, third in sheep and lamb inventories, and fourth in pig inventories.
Nearly three-quarters of Canadian beef processing occurs in Western Canada, with the vast majority concentrated in
Alberta. In 2012, Western Canadian cattle slaughter (excluding calves) in federally and provincially inspected plants was 2.0
million head, down 8.8 per cent from 2011. A factor contributing to the slaughter decline was the temporary closure of the XL
Foods plant in the fall of 2012. Over one-tenth of Canadian pork processing occurs in Alberta. In 2012, hog slaughter in
Alberta’s federally and provincially inspected plants fell 4.0 per cent to 2.4 million head. Slaughter cattle prices continued to
show strength in 2012. The annual average slaughter steer price increased 5.7 per cent to $111.91 per cwt., while for
slaughter heifers it rose 6.6 per cent to $111.99 per cwt. For hogs, the annual Alberta average index 100 price fell 3.2 per
cent to $1.51 per kg. Total honey production in the province was estimated at 18,380 tonnes, jumping 19.0 per cent from
2011,
due to factors such as higher yield per colony and an increase in colony numbers. Alberta continues to lead the nation
in honey production, accounting for 44.6 per cent of the national total of 41,222 tonnes.
Crops
In 2012, Alberta’s total production of principal field crops declined, largely due to lower yields compared to 2011. Production
totaled 28.7 million tonnes, down 6.9 per cent from 2011, but 11.9 per cent above the 10-year average (2002-2011). Crop
conditions in the province were mainly favourable during the growing season, despite seeding occurring later than normal
due to a wet, cool May. In July and August, the warm, dry weather advanced crop development quickly, negating much of
the spring delay. In September, variable weather in some areas of the province impacted crops and slowed harvest
progress, as did some diseases which lowered yield estimates. However, by October, harvest was virtually complete. Total
production of all wheat (winter, spring, and durum) totaled 8.4 million tonnes, down 5.3 per cent (15.1 per cent above its 10-
year average), while canola production fell 8.4 per cent to 4.9 million tonnes (40.4 per cent above its 10-year average). Total
barley production was 4.5 million tonnes, down 4.4 per cent (4.7 per cent below its 10-year average). For most major crops,
the provincial average yields were generally above their respective 10-year averages, with average grade estimates for both
cereals and oilseeds, mainly as a result of the heat stress in July and August, and disease in late summer and fall.
Overall, the average annual prices for most major grains and oilseeds were strong in 2012. Some notable average price
increases included all wheat ($6.94 per bushel, up 15.9 per cent), canola ($12.93 per bushel, up 7.6 per cent), and barley
(
$5.23 per bushel, up 25.1 per cent). Among the major crops, total marketings of canola reached a record of 5.5 million
tonnes, up 10.8 per cent over 2011. For total wheat, it was 7.8 million tonnes (up 13.4 per cent), and barley totalled 1.2
million tonnes (down 9.1 per cent).