Agri-economy snapshot
Agriculture contributes 6 percent of GDP and 1 in 9 jobs. Yet productivity growth has slowed to 0.8 percent annually since 2018, as input costs surge 20 percent.
| Indicator | 2018 | 2024 | 2025 (est.) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total farm receipts ($ bn) | 65 | 89 | 94 | AAFC |
| Fertilizer cost index (2012 = 100) | 128 | 191 | 184 | Statistics Canada |
| Agri-tech adoption (precision tools %) | 23 | 41 | 47 | Prairie Regional Survey 2025 |
Transformation levers
- Data farming: AI yield models cut fertilizer use 10 %.
- Robotics: autonomous tractors reduce labour costs 15 %.
- Sustainability premiums: traceable supply chains secure export advantage.
What leaders can do
- Invest in IoT sensors and satellite imagery.
- Form ag-tech cooperatives to share capex.
- Link ESG reporting to buyer contracts.
- Develop digital-skills programs for farm labour.
Arcus Insight: Technology will define the next bumper crop. Firms integrating digital agronomy with carbon-credit monetization will outperform on both yield and reputation.