Quick Facts:

* Farm cash receipts refer to the revenues from the sale of agricultural commodities, program payments from government agencies and payments from private crop and livestock insurance programs.

* The record $3.9 billion in sales represent an increase of more than 13%, or $462 million more, than 2018.

* Other sectors/commodities with increased sales include:

* eggs – $14 million;

* nursery – $14 million;

* chicken – $12 million;

* blueberries – $7 million;

* grapes – $5.6 million; and

* grains and oilseeds – $2.7 million.

VICTORIA – While the COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for farmers this year, farm-sales numbers from 2019 show that there is a solid foundation in place to build a path to economic recovery.

As the Province continues to focus on creating a strong, resilient food system, the 2019 B.C. farm cash receipts show the sector is growing with a record $3.9 billion in sales.

“For the past three years, our government has been focused on helping farmers farm and strengthening food security. We know the pandemic has impacted farmers greatly this year, but the farming sector’s record economic growth in 2019 sets the sector up for a strong recovery,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture. “COVID-19 has opened our eyes to the importance of our province’s self-sufficiency. I urge everyone to continue to show their appreciation for our farmers and support our local food system by making a special effort to Buy BC.”

Areas of growth included a close to $300-million increase in cannabis sales, along with a $47-million increase in dairy sales, a $25-million increase in beef sales and a $17.5-million increase in field vegetable sales.