agriculture sector

Key Industries

Agribusiness

Winnipeg is an agricultural powerhouse on the global stage, home to many of Canada's leading international agribusiness companies and industry associations. With a mature agri-food research and development ecosystem and booming sub-sectors such as ag-tech and plant protein, Winnipeg is the place to grow.

Companies like JCA Technologies and Farmers Edge benefit from Winnipeg's innovative tech environment, while businesses like Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods and Roquette are paving the path forward for plant protein. A collaborative business environment and easy access to North American and international markets make Winnipeg a compelling choice for agribusiness investment.

Discover the reasons many national and international agribusiness organizations choose Winnipeg:

Manitoba's agribusiness sector's contribution to the Province's GDP is the third highest in Canada, while contributions from crop and animal production are the second highest in the country.
Manitoba has 17.1 million acres of farm area, the third largest in Canada, despite only being the sixth largest province in Canada.
Manitoba is home to 24 agri-food research and development centres featuring world-class research programs.
There are 100 food and beverage manufacturing companies located in Winnipeg.

Protein Supercluster

Manitoba is ideally positioned to be a world leader in protein processing because of its diverse ecosystem. Many of these local protein processors are part of the Protein Industries Canada (PIC) supercluster, including:

Roquette - the world’s largest pea processing facility
Maple Leaf Foods - the largest bacon processing facility in Canada
Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods - North America's largest hemp food products manufacturer

Local Success Stories

Maple Leaf Foods

In 2021, Maple Leaf Foods invested about $182 million in a 73,000-square-foot expansion in Winnipeg, creating its Bacon Centre of Excellence.

Paterson GlobalFoods

In 2023, Paterson GlobalFoods built O Foods Ltd., Canada's most innovative oat processing facility. O Foods Ltd. can process up to 250,000 metric tonnes of raw oats from Western Canadian farmers.

HyLife Foods

In 2018, HyLife Foods completed its pork processing facility upgrade and expansion in Neepawa, Manitoba. The processing plant now boasts leading-edge technology and is one of the most sophisticated facilities in Canada.

Roquette

In 2021, Roquette invested in building the world’s largest pea protein processing facility. This facility works with up to 300 farms and can process 125,000 metric tonnes of yellow peas per year.

The J.R. Simplot Company

Simplot invested in the expansion of its potato processing facility from 180,000 to 460,000 square feet in 2022, doubling the facility's processing capacity.

Fast Facts

$7.46B

Total agribusiness GDP
(Manitoba, 2022)
25,421

Agribusiness employees
(Manitoba, 2023)
100

Food and beverage processing companies
(Winnipeg CMA, 2023)
412

Agribusiness companies
(Winnipeg, 2023)

Research & Development

Key Network

Key networks in agribusiness are actively shaping the future and are pivotal in the economic landscape through their roles in growth sectors. These organizations include:

Food & Beverage Manitoba

Food & Beverage Manitoba is an industry-led association dedicated to promoting Manitoba’s vibrant food and beverage industry and ensuring members have the resources, strength and conditions they need to succeed.

Manitoba Pork

Manitoba Pork is the representative organization for all pork producers in Manitoba, with a mission to foster the sustainability and prosperity of the hog sector for the good of pork producers and all Manitobans.

ProteinMB

Manitoba is also home to ProteinMB, a first-of-its-kind hub and voice for advancement of sustainable protein in Manitoba to empower industry growth.

Keystone Agricultural Producers

Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) is Manitoba’s leading advocate for the interests of Manitoba producers through advocacy, collaboration, communication and education.

Cereals Canada

Cereals Canada is a national, not-for-profit organization that brings a diverse collaboration of partners from all sectors of the cereals value chain.

Canola Council of Canada

The Canola Council of Canada is the first industry association in the country to encompass all links in the value chain. Its mission is to advance the growth and profitability of the canola industry through innovation, sustainability, resilience and the creation of superior value for a healthier world.

Protein Industries Canada

Protein Industries Canada (PIC) is an industry-led, not-for-profit organization created to position Canada as a global source of high-quality plant protein and plant-based co-products. PIC is one of Canada's five innovation superclusters.

EMILI

EMILI is an industry-led non-profit committed to accelerating Canada’s growth as a leader in digital agriculture. EMILI works with producers, industry and academia to advance the adoption of intelligent technologies.

Pulse Canada

Pulse Canada is the national association of growers, traders and processors of Canadian pulses, also known as lentils, dry peas, beans and chickpeas.

Canadian Pulse and Special Crops Trade Association

The Canadian Pulse and Special Crops Trade Association (formerly the Canadian Special Crops Association) is a non-profit alliance of more than 100 processors, exporters and service providers working together to advance Canada’s pulse and special crops industry.