Supermarket Perimeter - September 2024 - 62

Produce
GREENHOUSE FRUIT
By Andy Nelson
STRAWBERRIES ARE THE STAR FRUIT IN GREENHOUSE
PRODUCTION, but still account for just 3% of Canadian fruit and
vegetable production, according to a new report on greenhouse-grown
from wealth management giant RBC.
But berries under glass have a real future.
" This household favorite has runway to grow as Canadian
greenhouse operators continue to modify their approach to protect
strawberries from pest and diseases, " according to RBC.
And other berry varieties could follow suit.
" Raspberries and blueberries are among the top five fruit imports by
value in Canada, presenting a large domestic demand for greenhouses
to meet if production of these delicate, high-value products can be
mastered. "
Bananas could also have a much bigger future in greenhouses,
according to the report.
Bananas are the largest fruit import by volume and have experienced
global yield increases since the 1960s. But the next 50 years may not be
as fruitful, opening an opportunity for greenhouses to grow bananas.
A " hotbed for growth "
Overall, Canada's greenhouse sector is a hotbed for growth,
according to RBC.
Greenhouses specializing in fruits and vegetables in Canada have
increased in farm gate value for the 11th consecutive year, up 9.2% to
$2.5 billion in 2023-doubling in size from a decade ago.
Infrastructure limitations, however, could stunt future growth.
Greenhouse production in Ontario is expected to more than double
in acreage over the next 10 years, but the industry faces key barriers
in accessing energy, water, waste management, and labor. The
Windsor-Essex and Chatham area peak demand is projected to rise
62 - SEPTEMBER 2024
from 500 megawatt (MW) in 2023 to approximately 2,100 MW by 2035,
driven primarily by growth in advanced and electric vehicle battery
manufacturing and greenhouses.
" Canada's global greenhouse strengths lie in productivity and landuse
efficiency, " according to the report. " The country's greenhouse
production boasts the highest yields per area of land among top
greenhouse nations. "
Canada produces 4.6 times more per area of land than Spain, is
slightly more productive than the Netherlands, and 2.6 times more
than Mexico.
The challenge over the next decade for Canada will be to continue to
lead on land-use efficiency, while scaling production to meet domestic
and trade demands.
" Greenhouses must solve their energy trilemma-of demand,
emissions, and bills-to expand. Energy costs for Canadian greenhouses
have surged 55% between 2013 and 2023, while natural gas-sourced
power is driving the industry's carbon footprint. "
Reducing natural gas demand and the green premium for alternatives
including renewable natural gas, hydrogen, and clean electricity would
enable Canadian greenhouses to thrive in a low carbon economy.
Globally, population growth is expected to rise to 9.7 billion in 2050,
with food demand rising around 56% by 2050 from 2010 levels. Meeting
future demand is a daunting task amid rising food insecurity.
These factors present a challenge for the agriculture sector to
innovate and advance climate resilient, efficient systems that bring
more of the food produced to people's plates at an affordable price.
" Canada's greenhouses are well positioned to help meet the
challenge because of their high land use and input efficiency, potential
to shorten supply chains for Canadians, and a strong history of growth
and innovation, " according to RBC.
supermarketperimeter.com
Martin Bergsma - stock.adobe.com
http://www.supermarketperimeter.com
Supermarket Perimeter - September 2024

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