In 2024, Canadian potato growers achieved their fourth consecutive record harvest, producing 127.0 million hundredweight—a slight increase of 0.3 percent year over year. This growth reflects not only higher production but also a recovery from adverse weather conditions in 2023, particularly in New Brunswick and Quebec.
Regional Variations and Production Increases
New Brunswick and Quebec led the production increases, with New Brunswick recording a 14.3 percent rise to 17.0 million hundredweight and Quebec up 17.5 percent to 13.7 million hundredweight. These increases were driven by better weather conditions that allowed for improved crop management and recovery from wet conditions in the previous year. Alberta remained the largest potato-producing province, contributing 23.7 percent of the national total, despite a 4.5 percent decrease in seeded area. Manitoba followed with 21.6 percent, while Prince Edward Island produced 20.4 percent of Canadian potatoes in 2024.
Seeded Area and Weather Impact
The national seeded area in 2024 was 391,438 acres, down 0.3 percent from 2023. Alberta and Manitoba saw the largest reductions, with 4.5 percent and 3.0 percent decreases, respectively, due to lower demand for processing potatoes. However, these decreases were offset by increases in Quebec (+4.6 percent), Ontario (+4.1 percent), and Prince Edward Island (+0.9 percent). Despite the smaller seeded area, the weather conditions during the 2024 growing season were largely favorable across Canada, allowing for a slight increase in harvested area—383,666 acres—up 0.5 percent from 2023.
Yield Trends Across Provinces
The average yield for Canadian potatoes in 2024 was 330.9 hundredweight per acre, down 0.2 percent from the previous year. Alberta continued to report the highest average yield at 412.0 hundredweight per acre, although this was a 1.8 percent decrease from 2023. Manitoba also saw a reduction in yield, dropping by 2.7 percent to 362.1 hundredweight per acre. British Columbia faced a more significant decline, with yields falling by 10.7 percent to 329.5 hundredweight per acre. In contrast, New Brunswick and Quebec recorded notable increases—9.3 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively—demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of these regions to optimize yield despite challenging weather conditions.
The 2024 Canadian potato harvest underscores the resilience of the Canadian agricultural sector in the face of variable weather conditions and changing market demands. While the national average yield saw a slight decrease, the record-breaking harvest highlights the importance of adaptive farming practices and strategic crop management. The growth in certain provinces, particularly New Brunswick and Quebec, illustrates how local conditions can significantly impact production levels and overall crop success. As the global demand for Canadian potatoes continues to rise, it is essential for growers to stay informed about best practices, emerging technologies, and climate-smart agriculture strategies to maintain production stability and sustainability.
