Plant the Seeds: Opportunities to Grow Ontario's Fruit and Vegetable Sector

“Plant the Seeds: Opportunities to Grow Southern Ontario's Fruit and Vegetable Sector” is a new report that outlines the opportunity to expand the $2.2 billion of fruits and vegetables grown in Ontario, including more local production of fresh grapes, pears, strawberries, garlic, eggplant, sweet potatoes, apples, snap peas, cabbage—as well as vertical farming.

This expansion could result in up to $135 million in increased farm-gate revenue, making an important contribution to Ontario’s economic recovery.

For most of the crops examined in this analysis, expanding production across the Greenbelt and southwestern Ontario would displace some of the $7.3 billion of annual imported fruits and vegetables making an important contribution to Ontario’s economic recovery and could provide an even greater contribution to Ontario’s rural economy.

Certain perquisites need to be in place to realize the opportunities, and there is a role for growers, marketers, retailers, industry organizations, research and development institutions, and government to make it happen