Alberta’s potato industry is experiencing a significant growth spurt, driven partly by the increasing demand in Asia for popular potato products like french fries and hash browns. According to Farm Credit Canada, the number of harvested acres of potatoes in Alberta has surged by approximately 35% since 2019. McCain Foods’ decision to expand its potato processing facility near Coaldale in southern Alberta is poised to further boost the sector’s expansion.
The rise in potato production in Alberta and Manitoba is reshaping the potato landscape in Canada, shifting power westward. In 2022, the Prairies, along with British Columbia, accounted for 45.6% of potato production, surpassing Atlantic Canada and Central Canada. Alberta emerged as the top potato-producing province in the country, dethroning Prince Edward Island.
The economic impact of Alberta’s potato sector has soared to $2.87 billion Canadian dollars, as per analysis by the Potato Growers of Alberta. The industry’s growth trajectory can be traced back to the early 2000s when major players such as McCain, Lamb Weston, and Cavendish Farms established processing plants in southern Alberta, signaling a pivotal moment for the sector.
Today, a significant portion of Alberta’s potato acreage is dedicated to producing frozen potato products and chips, catering to the rising demand in Asia and the United States. McCain Foods’ substantial investment of $600 million to expand its Coaldale plant underscores the company’s confidence in Alberta’s potato industry’s future. The expansion includes the addition of new production lines for french fries and frozen potato specialty products, reflecting the sector’s commitment to meeting evolving consumer preferences and international demand.
