CALGARY – If Alberta farmers continue to enjoy strong sales at the farmgate and in exports, provincial agriculture minister Walter Pasz-kowski’s predictions of Alberta being the top agricultural province in Canada may come true.
Agricultural exports of primary and value-added products reached record levels in 1994. Farm cash receipts of $5.4 billion made it the second highest producer in the country for 1994.
Ontario had the highest receipts at $6.05 billion, according to figures from Statistics Canada and Alberta Agriculture. Export figures were unavailable.
Saskatchewan ranked third in total farm cash receipts at $4.85 billion, while Manitoba ranked fifth at $2.38 billion and B.C. placed sixth at $1.5 billion.
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Alberta’s top export commodity was wheat, said Alberta Agriculture statisticians.
More than 5.05 million tonnes of wheat valued at $813.3 million were sold in 1994, up 23 percent from the year previous.
The second largest export was live cattle and calves. In total, 501,108 head were sold mostly into the United States. That’s six percent better than 1993.
Canola exports soar
Canola continued its strong performance with exports of oil and seed almost doubling in value. Exports were worth $462 million compared to $237 million in 1993.
Barley exports were also favorable with sales up 13 percent at $206 million compared to $182 million in 1993.
The U.S. was Alberta’s best customer, accounting for 52 percent of the total agri-food exports. Those exports are worth $1.9 billion to the province, an increase of 31 percent over 1993.
The higher numbers were due to sharp increases in beef, live cattle and canola oil exports. Increases were also noted in canola seed, wheat, barley, hides and skins.
The next largest markets were the Pacific Rim countries of Japan, China and South Korea. The Japanese market is worth about $514 million to Alberta. Although the overall market only grew by two percent, beef exports, worth $24.5 million, enjoyed an increase of 41 percent.
China and South Korea were major wheat buyers. European, South and Central American, and Middle Eastern exports also increased.
Iran and Algeria were two significant buyers in the export market. Exports to Iran increased by 169 percent and Algeria by 98 percent. Wheat at $70.4 million and $47.5 million respectively were their major purchases.
The most recent figures available for imports are from 1993. For that year, the province brought in $834 million worth of primary and processed food products. Traditionally, these imports consist of items not produced in the province.
Fruits and vegetables accounted for $319 million of these purchases.
Other imports included coffee, tea, spices, liquor, fish, cereals and meats.
The U.S. was the most important source of goods with imports to Alberta totaling $546.8 million.
