Potato industry of Alberta contributes CAD 2.87 Billion to the economy of Canada, according to PGA report

Potato Growers of Alberta (PGA) announced the release of its landmark study on the economic impact the potato industry in Alberta. The report, entitled The Alberta Potato Industry – Growing Success in 2022 outlines the significant growth of Alberta’s potato industry in recent years and documents its economic impact on our economy.

James Bareman, Chair of PGA:
 

"We knew our industry has seen accelerated growth in recent years, but we had no way of measuring its overall impact on our economy."

The report documents a total economic contribution to the economies of Alberta and Canada of CAD 2.87B (USD 2.156B). It further documents job creation of 9390 full time equivalent jobs, CAD 662M (USD 497M) in employment income, CAD 1.33B (USD 999M) contribution to GDP and CAD 87M  (USD 65 M) in tax revenue to federal and provincial governments.

James Bareman:
 

"We are pleased that we now have an accurate assessment of our industry’s contribution and delighted with the result. The industry could not have grown to this scale without the goodwill and collaboration of all parties – growers, processors, packers, the service sector, the scientific community, and governments. PGA warmly thanks all involved for their excellent contribution to growing our industry into the largest potato sector in Canada."

The study was completed by two reputable firms, Serecon Inc. and Nichols Applied Management who have conducted many similar economic impact assessments in the past.

Their use of standard input/output economic inquiry is consistent with methodology commonly employed across the globe to conduct economic impact assessments. The study methodology was further scrutinized and approved by an independent third-party university economist.

Terence Hochstein, Executive Director of PGA:
 

"We wanted to ensure the study was accurate and the methodology was beyond reproach. That’s why we went to great lengths to ensure it was conducted in a manner that would pass rigorous external scrutiny."

The first part of the report essentially tells the story of the scale and growth of the potato industry in Alberta. The second part explores the industry’s economic impact on the economies of Alberta and Canada as a whole.

The report was designed to include rich graphic illustrations depicting the size and scale of the industry. A further set of appropriate graphics is being designed for use in school classrooms.

PGA gratefully acknowledges the Canadian Agricultural Partnership grant it received from Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation to cover a portion of the costs of the project.