OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA — A report released on April 15 by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) showed a strong performance for the farm and food sector in 2012 with high farm income levels, strong market receipts, stable profit margins and increased export sales.

The report, “An Overview of the Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food System 2014,” is available here.  

According to the report, Canadian export sales grew by 8.1% in 2012. With export sales of C$43.6 billion, Canada is the world's fifth-largest exporter, accounting for 3.5% of the total value of world agriculture and agri-food exports.

"Canada's agriculture and food industry has evolved into a modern, technologically advanced, export-oriented sector that is among the elite performers in today's highly competitive global marketplace,” said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “Our government will continue its aggressive trade agenda, and will continue to work bilaterally and multilaterally to level the global playing field so Canadian farmers and agricultural exporters can maximize opportunities in international markets."

Federal and provincial government expenditures in research and development in the agriculture and agri-food sector are estimated to rise to C$602 million in 2012-13.

While the U.S. remains Canada's most important agriculture and agri-food export destination, Canadian exports to China increased by 84.2% in 2012 to C$5 billion.

In 2012, the agriculture and agri-food sector generated C$103.5 billion, accounting for 6.7% of Canada's total Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

In 2012, the agriculture and agri-food sector provided one in eight jobs in Canada, employing over 2.1 million people.