Canadian potato farmers have achieved another milestone in 2024, setting a new production record with 5.76 million metric tonnes of potatoes, surpassing the previous year’s record of 5.74 million metric tonnes, according to a recent Statistics Canada report.
While average yields showed a slight decrease from 37.7 metric tonnes per hectare in 2023 to 37.6 metric tonnes per hectare in 2024, the total harvested area expanded by 809 hectares, reaching 155,264 hectares in 2024.
The success of this year’s harvest was largely attributed to favorable weather conditions. Statistics Canada reported that producers were able to harvest 98 percent of the total seeded area, thanks to a warm and relatively dry fall in potato-growing regions.
Remarkable Growth Over the Past Decade
The potato industry has witnessed significant improvements in productivity over the last 15 years. Average yields have increased by 16 percent since the early 2010s, rising from approximately 31.8 metric tonnes per hectare to nearly 37 metric tonnes per hectare in the 2021-2024 period.
Western Canada’s Growing Influence
The expansion of french fry processing facilities in Western Canada has contributed significantly to this production boom. Major industry players including Cavendish Farms, McCain Foods, and Simplot have invested in new facilities or expanded existing operations in Manitoba and Alberta. McCain’s recent $600 million investment will double the capacity of its Coaldale, Alberta facility.
Provincial Leadership
Alberta has emerged as Canada’s leading potato producer, contributing 23.7 percent of the national production in 2024. Manitoba follows with 21.6 percent, while Prince Edward Island accounts for 20.4 percent of the country’s potato production.
This record-breaking production demonstrates the continued strength and growth of Canada’s potato industry, particularly in Western Canada where significant infrastructure investments have driven expansion.
