Reports project record year for Alberta agriculture industry
Posted Sep 30, 2020 4:58 pm.
SPRUCE GROVE (660 NEWS) — The Alberta government is putting more support behind the province’s agriculture sector.
Premier Jason Kenney announced the province will be opening up more markets around the globe as the industry is on an upswing with positive projections.
“Based on reports from commodities companies, the rail companies, from farm groups and Alberta agriculture, we believe that this may be the single biggest year in the history of Alberta agriculture,” Kenney said.
The industry is targeting an export increase of $16.6 billion by 2023, and Kenney hoped it can help the province navigate out of the pandemic. That would represent a growth of 43 per cent.
“Our agriculture sector is a powerhouse for our economy. And there’s tremendous opportunity for the sector to be a big contributor to Alberta’s recovery from the pandemic and global recession,” he added.
With the province’s support, it will be working with Invest Alberta to put people within the industry into markets around the world to make sure product is available internationally.
“Invest Alberta will be working with our network of offices around the world and will be adding folks from Alberta agriculture to a number of those offices to expand market access for Alberta agricultural products,” Kenney continued.
“I’m very excited to see this happening in the United States, in the European Union, in Mexico and in Singapore. It will also compliment Alberta ag international exposure in the Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo and New Dehli offices.”
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Devin Dreeshen was also on hand and emphasized how important this will be to the sector.
“It is important that we have new footholds in new markets and attract foreign investment. And diversifying our economy and attracting investment with Canada’s most competitive tax environment that we already have, we are putting Alberta on a path for a generation of growth,” Dreeshen said.
