The Agriculture and Agrifood Industries in Centre-du-Québec
Among Québec’s top producers, Centre-du-Québec’s 3,500 agricultural businesses have an excellent reputation that, in some cases, extends across the globe. By making the most of the region’s potential and advantages, industry producers and stakeholders have built an agricultural sector to be proud of.Milk, cranberries, maple products, meat, organic products, and berries are just a few examples of Centre-du-Québec agricultural endeavors that have carved out an enviable niche both within the region and around the world.
The Agricultural and Biofood Industry
The region, which is known as Canada’s milk shed, offers a number of possibilities within the dairy and pork, poultry, and truck farming sectors. Careers in these areas involve the production, processing, distribution, and marketing of agricultural and food products.
Vignoble les Côtes du Gavet
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Centre-du-Québec’s Biofood Sector*
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**This amount includes payments received through government programs.
Regional profile for all Centre-du-Québec RCMs
Regional profile for Arthabasca RCM
Regional profile for Bécancour RCM
Regional profile for Drummond RCM
Regional profile for L’Érable RCM
Regional profile for Nicolet-Yamaska RCM
Five Sectors with Fertile Futures
- Organic farming and added-value product processing
In Centre-du-Québec, a number of agrifood businesses offer processed organic products such as milk, meat, flour, ready-to-serve meals, herbs, maple products, etc. Potential for development in this sector is quite promising due to increasing demand.
- Cranberries and berries
Cranberry production within Québec has grown steadily since 1990, and Centre-du-Québec possesses recognized potential in this area. The region is very well positioned in this respect thanks to its technical and agricultural know-how and a high concentration of cranberry farms and processing facilities.
Berries in general are also very popular with consumers. They have created a market whose growth presents numerous business opportunities within Centre-du-Québec.
- Specialty dairy products
Québec is home to a group of major goat milk processors and small, specialized cheese producers. Centre-du-Québec is Québec’s top producer of processed goat milk. In Québec, sales growth for goat cheeses is estimated at 25% per year.
Some Centre-du-Québec businesses produce ewe’s milk cheeses. This up-and-coming niche is enjoying steady growth. There is also a well diversified industry for cow milk cheeses.
- Specialty meats
The region’s specialty meats include lamb, kid, game, and goose—all of which are relatively new sectors within Québec. Current initiatives include omega-3 enriched pork, pasture grass–fed beef, growth hormone and antibiotic–free pork and beef, and organic meets, to name but a few.
- Sugar maple cultivation
An air of optimism has swept through the sector, which accounts for 10% of Québec’s total production. Centre-du-Québec is also home to Centre de recherche, de développement et de transfert technologique en acériculture, a research facility dedicated to development and technology transfer within the sugar maple growing industry.
A Balanced Approach to Land Division
Generally speaking, Centre-du-Québec’s agricultural operations are evenly distributed throughout the region. This diverse industry nonetheless draws 70% of its income from animal-based operations. Some 3,500 businesses cultivate nearly 240,000 hectares. Less than 40% of the area reserved for agriculture is in use. Most of the remaining agricultural area is forested.The region holds excellent potential for the sustainable development of its agricultural sector.
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