Canadians sailed through the rough seas in 2020, 2021, and 2022. First, COVID-19 and the restrictions to contain the epidemic heavily impacted our supply chains. That was the first time we realized that Canada lacks self-sufficiency in itsvaccine,semiconductor, anddrugmanufacturing facilities. Second, the Russian invasion of Ukraine resulted in the rise of energy prices, threatened potentialfood shortagesin the Middle East and Africa, and resulted in food price hikes in Canada.
So, why Canada’s food prices were impacted by the war thousands of kilometers away from our borders? Could we face potential supply chain disruptions or even food shortages in Canada? Currently, 16% of the world population depends on international trade to cover the demand for agricultural products. According to research, this numberwill jump to 50% by 2050.
Policymakers must pay close attention to our food self-sufficiency to protect our long-term national security and economic interests. Many other countries took this issue seriously and devised national strategies to increase agricultural independence. One of the most prominent examples is Qatar. This country developed its National Food Security Strategy and has consistently implemented it. For example, their vegetable self-sufficiency jumped from24% in 2018 to 46% in 2022. It is remarkable for the country, with the area mainly represented by desert sands. They havealready achieved100% self-sufficiency in fresh poultry and milk production, and hit the 70% mark in dates and 75% in fish.
According to research, Canada, along with France, Australia, India, the United States, and a few other countries, is self-sufficient in its agricultural needs. However, this question is quite complex and worth digging deeper into.
What is the Food Self-Sufficiency?
There are various definitions of food self-sufficiency.Some define itas theabilityto meet the domestic demand for food by supplying it from its own domestic production. However, it is not a compelling definition because the theoretical ability to satisfy domestic demand might not translate into meeting it during or after a force majeure event. Moreover, Canadian agriculture is export-oriented, focusing on some product types while ignoring or underinvesting in others. So, in case of a cataclysm outside our borders, the country ends up with an abundance of one product and an acute shortage of the other, important nonetheless.
Moreover, due to the natural limitations of agriculture, it might take months or years to repurpose domestic production to fulfill the whole breadth of the population’s needs. However, calamities of such scale require immediate solutions.
Thus, the best assurance of food self-sufficiency is not only the hypothetical ability to satisfy but the actual satisfaction of the domestic demand.
Canada’s Situation Today
Canada’s self-sufficiency is complex; we demonstrate self-reliance in ourdairy, meat, and grain production. We are mostly consuming our homemade food and can export the surplus. However, we need to catch up with our fresh produce output. For example,we import around 75%of fresh vegetables. Admittedly, Canada is a northern country, leading to its challenges in growing certain types of food within its borders due to the seasonality of the growing season and cold climate.
Nonetheless, this shortage could be reduced by applying the right policy. For example, in Quebec, in November 2020, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foodannounced a goalto double the area of food greenhouses in the province by 2025 and allocated more than 100 million dollars for it. As a result, the province has gone from about 30% to almost 50% of food self-sufficiency in greenhouse vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and lettuce. The stated objective is to reach the 80% rate. It is a remarkable achievement that could be replicated on a national scale.
Canada has an absurd situation with its fish consumption. According to the latest data, the country is the9th biggest exporterof fish and fishery products globally. Yet, at the same time, we arethe 7th biggest importer. Moreover, we eatonly 30% of Canadian fishproducts because the rest is exported. It looks bizarre, but it results from the export-oriented economy in which fish producers are more incentivized to ship their products abroad rather than reaching domestic consumers first.
Nevertheless, according to theCanadian Economic Observer reportfor 2008, more than 70% of food bought by Canadians was produced in Canada. Thus, Canada might be considered self-sufficient except for fresh fruits and vegetables.
What can we do to improve our food self-sufficiency?
Policymakers and consumers have diverse options for how to sustain and possibly improve Canada’s food self-sufficiency:
- We should stimulate further investment in agriculture and farm productivity. For example, using different growing techniques, more effective pesticides, and seeds, or more efficient ways to irrigate without losing as much water might result in significant productivity improvements.
- It’s time to reduce food waste. Currently, 50% of foods produced in Canada are wasted, and 30% of wasted foodcan be rescued.
- Making Country of Origin labeling mandatory might have some positive affect by allowing consumers to make their informed choice. According to Canadian Grocer, in 2015,92% of Canadiansmade a point of buying Canadian products.
Some suggest that consumers should make lifestyle changes by consuming less meat and becoming vegetarians. However, this idea sounds illogical, considering that Canada is limited in producing much more fresh vegetables and fruits. On the contrary, it will increase our dependence on imports.
In conclusion, Canada is well-positioned for potential cataclysms outside its borders that might disrupt the food supply. Yet, as a society, we can take steps to further improve the situation, especially regarding fresh produce and fish. Reducing waste, investing in farm productivity, and mandating the Country of Origin labeling are among the possible options.
