Canada: Greenhouse flower acreage continues to drop

The Canadian greenhouse area used to produce flowers decreased by 7.7%, most notably in Ontario, dropping 2.9 million square feet, and in Quebec, where area fell by 2.7 million square feet. A rise in the number of flowers imported into Canada from countries like Colombia and Ecuador have contributed to a decrease in Canada’s flower production, with the value of imported flowers from these countries increasing from 2011 to 2016. This has led to a shift across Canada from greenhouse flower production to greenhouse vegetable production.

Over the last 50 years, the average total area under glass per agricultural operation has nearly quadrupled, from over 15,000 square feet compared to just under 58,000 square feet. Greenhouse area for flower and vegetable production continued to be situated primarily in Ontario (60.4%), British Columbia (21.1%) and Quebec (10.0%). Greenhouse vegetable area was nearly double that of greenhouse flower area, 165.4 million square feet versus 85.4 million square feet. Since 1996, greenhouse vegetable area has more than tripled, increasing 265.2%. Greenhouse flower area continued to decline after reaching its peak of 99.9 million square feet in 2006.

Area of greenhouse vegetables and greenhouse flowers, Canada, 1996 to 2016

Nearly one in three greenhouse operations in Canada reported using greenhouse automation technology. Those reporting greenhouse automation had facilities that were over nine times larger, on average, than those not reporting the use of this technology (just over 152,400 square feet compared to just over 16,600 square feet). The use of greenhouse automation is one example of the various innovative methods that greenhouse operations utilize. Irrigation systems, solar heating, and wood boiler heaters are other methods used to cut down on operating costs and allow operations to run more efficiently.

Source: Statistics Canada