Canadian Agriculture – At a Crossroads

When most of us think about Canada’s natural resources, oil, gas, and minerals usually come to mind first. But there’s another sector shaping our paycheques, grocery bills, and even international trade headlines: agriculture.

For young Canadians, understanding agriculture isn’t just about farms and fields—it’s about jobs, affordability, and how our country positions itself on the global stage.

Here’s why agriculture deserves your attention right now:

1. Importance of Canadian Agriculture

Agriculture isn’t just food on the table—it’s a $140+ billion industry and one of Canada’s biggest employers. From family farms in Saskatchewan to large-scale operations in Ontario, agriculture directly and indirectly employs more than 2.3 million Canadians.

More perspective:

• In 2024, Canada exported more than $100.3 billion in agriculture and agri-food products, making us the 5th-largest agri-food exporter in the world.
• Canola alone covers over 21.5 million acres of farmland, with production exceeding 17.8 million tonnes in 2024.

Why does this matter to us?

• Job opportunities: Agriculture isn’t only about farming—it’s tech, logistics, supply chain management, business, and marketing.
• Affordable living: A stable agriculture sector helps keep grocery prices in check, directly affecting student budgets and young professionals.
• Global reputation: Canadian wheat, beef, pork, and canola are respected worldwide for their quality. That means more trade opportunities, and by extension, more career opportunities here at home.

Agriculture is more than food security—it’s career security.

2. Trade Tensions: Canola and Tariffs

If you’ve followed trade news in the last few years, you’ve probably heard about the Canada–China canola dispute. In 2019, China restricted Canadian canola imports, citing quality issues. For farmers and workers in Western Canada, this was a major blow, since China had been our biggest customer.

Fast forward to August 2025, when China announced preliminary anti-dumping duties of 75.8% on Canadian canola seed, set to take effect August 14.

Why this matters for youth:

• Higher grocery bills when trade routes get disrupted.
• Fewer job opportunities in related industries like shipping, processing, and retail.
• Uncertainty for the future, since global demand directly shapes domestic opportunities.

China has historically purchased up to 40% of Canadian canola exports, so tariff shocks hit especially hard in the Prairies. The good news? Canada is diversifying its trade partners. Under the CPTPP agreement, Japan imported nearly $1.3 billion worth of Canadian canola products in 2024, opening new markets for stability and growth.

3. Agriculture as Nation Building

Agriculture isn’t just about economics—it’s about identity and resilience. Farming communities have long been the backbone of Canada, and that story continues today—only now it’s powered by technology, trade, and youth innovation.

For young Canadians, agriculture represents:

• Innovation: Canadian agri-tech startups raised over $600 million in venture capital in 2024, focusing on precision farming, food traceability, and supply chain tech.
• Community strength: Agriculture drives regional development, especially in rural and smaller cities.
• National unity: From east to west, agriculture ties together our provinces through shared exports, trade deals, and food security.

Educational institutions like the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Agriculture and Bioresources and the University of Guelph are leaders in producing graduates ready to drive innovation in Canada’s food systems. That pipeline of talent is helping agriculture remain one of the most future-ready resource sectors.

Bottom Line

Canada’s agriculture is truly at a crossroads. Trade tensions, global demand, and domestic challenges are shaping the sector’s future. But for young Canadians, this isn’t a story of uncertainty—it’s one of opportunity.

From careers in agribusiness to ensuring affordable food for families, agriculture is one of the most important natural resource sectors we can’t afford to overlook. The next time you walk into a grocery store or see “Product of Canada” on your food label, remember that it’s not just food. It’s jobs, trade, and a nation’s strength—built for our generation and beyond.