Canadian production of berries facts for kids

Creston, BC

Atwater Market, Montreal, QC

Strawberry field, Sainte-Famille, QC

Little Italy, Montreal, QC

Canada grows many different kinds of berries! Most of these tasty fruits are grown in places that get a lot of rain. The biggest berry-growing region is southwest British Columbia. However, a special type of berry called the lowbush blueberry is mostly grown in Canada's eastern provinces, known as The Maritimes.

You'll find lots of strawberries growing in southern Ontario, southern Quebec, and the southern parts of the Maritimes. Smaller strawberry farms can also be found near cities in the Canadian Prairies.

Cranberry farming has become very popular recently, especially in British Columbia and eastern Canada. As of 2016, cranberries were the second most exported berry from Canada.

The most important berry in Canada is the Blueberry. It covers the largest farming area of all fruits in the country. Blueberries also bring in the most money for farmers and are the top fruit exported from Canada. Grapes are also a big crop, often thought of like berries in the farming world. Cherry farming is also important for exports.

Berry Farming in Canada

Canada is a big producer of many different berries. Let's explore where some of these delicious fruits are grown!

British Columbia's Berries

British Columbia (BC) is a major hub for berry farming. Common berries grown here include blueberries, strawberries, and grapes. The government in BC helps farmers by providing guides on how to grow berries like blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, currants, gooseberries, raspberries, and strawberries.

The Pacific Northwest region, which includes British Columbia, grows a huge amount of the world's raspberries. So, if you love raspberries, there's a good chance they came from this area! Farmers in BC can also get special insurance to protect their crops.

Manitoba's Berry Farms

In Manitoba, berry farmers are represented by the Prairie Fruit Growers Association. This group used to be called the Strawberry Growers Association of Manitoba.

While there isn't a big farmed blueberry industry in Manitoba, some wild blueberry patches are managed. These could become larger farms in the future. The provincial government also offers advice on growing raspberries.

Saskatoon berries could also become a much larger industry in Manitoba. There's a high demand for them, but not enough are grown yet. The government provides information to help farmers grow more saskatoons.

Strawberry fields cover the most land for berries in Manitoba. The Strawberry Growers Association of Manitoba started in 1972 and is now part of the Prairie Fruit Growers Association. The government helps strawberry farmers with growing tips.

Some other berries like currants, gooseberries, highbush cranberries, pincherries, sea buckthorn, and silver buffaloberries are grown for special markets. The government also gives advice on growing these "bush fruits."

Quebec's Strawberry Fields

Quebec is the top province for growing strawberries in Canada! About 36% of all Canadian strawberries come from here. A group called APFFdQ helps farmers by suggesting the best types of strawberries to grow in Quebec.

APFFdQ also recommends the best types of raspberries for farmers in the province.

Images for kids

• Blueberry field in British Columbia.jpg

  A blueberry field in British Columbia.

• Strawberry field in Quebec.jpg

  A strawberry field in Quebec.