Canada's most valuable vegetable crop is potatoes. Potatoes are grown in every province. They are economically important in several provinces, particularly in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba and Alberta. In 1997, the Canadian per capita consumption of fresh vegetables was 142.5 kg. Fresh vegetable exports are increasing.
Vegetables have a variety of end uses.
They also have many non-food uses, such as the processing waste that can be used to feed livestock. All other vegetables have been introduced from other parts of the world. There are no specific government programs to help start a vegetable production operation. Programs offered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada are for all types of agricultural businesses. Provincial programs are more specifically designed for starting a business in agriculture.