Agriculture in Canada is a critically important sector for the economy as a whole. In 2021, the agriculture and agri-food system employed 2.1 million people, providing 1 in 9 jobs in Canada. It also generated $134.9 billion (around 6.8%) of Canada's GDP. Saskatchewan is known worldwide as a consistent and reliable supplier of safe, high-quality agricultural products. In 2022, Saskatchewan agriculture exports were the largest on record, with total international sales of $18.4 billion. Agricultural exports have increased 58% since 2013, accounting for over one-third of total provincial exports in 2022. In 2021, Saskatchewan exported $17.5 billion in agricultural products to 148 countries across the globe.

Canadian farmers continue to be at the forefront of global agricultural innovation and meaningful emissions reduction, allowing them to grow more food on the same amount of land while bringing research, development, and innovative technologies and practice to their work.

In Saskatchewan, farmers take a unique approach to the way they grow food and steward their land. The low emission intensity in the grain they produce is an example governments can showcase on the management of environmental and agricultural policy issues concurrently.

In an increasingly turbulent world, it is clear that Canada – and its farmers – play a crucial role in contributing to both domestic and global food security. The Canadian agriculture sector understands and is committed to its role in feeding the world. But to make this happen, governments need to ensure that agricultural policies, regulations and processes are made in consultation with the entire agriculture value chain, including farmers. As an export-oriented country with a proud agricultural core, Canada can lead the way in reducing global dependence on food from less-stable, environmentally fragile areas of the world.  

As we all work to continually improve the policy environment in which Canada’s agriculture sector operates, SaskCrops is keen to be an active resource to governments, bringing its experience and expertise to the benefit of Canadians and the world.