Canada's agricultural sector is not only a vital part of the national economy but also a significant employer, particularly in the field of horticulture.
In 2022, this sector, which encompasses the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants, and sod, employed almost half of all agricultural workers, despite accounting for less than 15% of farm cash receipts.
Horticulture is known for being labour-intensive, requiring a large workforce to meet the demands of production. This is reflected in the high number of workers in greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture operations, which reported having 62,047 workers in 2022, an increase of 1.7% from the previous year.
These operations see a significant spike in seasonal employment, making up more than one-fifth of all seasonal agricultural jobs in Canada. This seasonal trend is largely due to the cyclical nature of the industry, which typically scales back during the winter months.
Following closely, vegetable and melon farms employed 34,423 workers in 2022, although this was a slight decrease of 1.7% from 2021. Fruit and tree nut farms also saw a reduction in workforce numbers, employing 30,263 workers, marking a 2.5% decrease from the previous year.
The reliance on a substantial number of seasonal workers highlights the fluctuating demand for labour in agriculture, which peaks during the planting and harvesting seasons.
The horticultural sector's significant employment figures underscore its importance not just in agricultural production but also in providing job opportunities across Canada.
As the sector navigates through challenges such as seasonal employment fluctuations and labor shortages, it continues to be a critical component of Canada's economy.
The employment trends in horticulture not only reflect the sector's economic contributions but also its role in sustaining the national food supply, reinforcing the importance of agricultural labor in Canada's broader economic landscape.