A new report is highlighting the significance of potatoes to Alberta’s economy.
The Potato Growers of Alberta (PGA) said the sector is experiencing strong growth.
PGA Chair James Bareman said he was pleased to have an accurate assessment of the industry’s contribution to the economy.
The growth, processing, and shipping of potatoes and potato products in Alberta contributed $2.87 billion to the Canadian economy in 2022.
The potato industry employed 9,390 people in Alberta in full-time positions with a total labour income of $662 million. Tax revenues exceeded $87 million.
Potato production in western Canada has nearly doubled over the last four decades.
Approximately 76 per cent of potato production was done in eastern Canada with just 24 coming from the west. As of 2022, provinces to the west of Ontario contributed 46 per cent of the country’s spud output.
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Richardson International has bought Ragleth Ltd., the parent company of Anglia Maltings.
Based in England, Anglia Maltings holds a portfolio of businesses including Crisp Malt, Micronized Food Products (MFP) and EDME Food Ingredients.
It operates seven malt facilities in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Germany.
Winnipeg-based Richardson said Crisp Malt supplies barley for breweries and distilleries and the food industry, while MFP specializes in the production of cereals and pulses for brewing and animal feed.
EDME Food Ingredients makes malted and non-malted ingredients for the baking industry.
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The Canada Grains Council (CGC) has announced the new members of its leadership team.
Pierre Petelle has been named the board chair while Greg Cherewyk is vice-chair.
In his position as president and CEO of CropLife Canada, Petelle leads the association’s advocacy efforts for regulatory frameworks that enable innovative agricultural solutions to come to market in Canada.
Cherewyk is a highly respected leader in the Canadian pulse industry. He has over two-decades of experience at Pulse Canada, including his role as president.
CGC extended gratitude to outgoing Chair Rick White for his service and commitment to Canada’s grain sector.
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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com
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