The City of Hamilton Agricultural Economic Impact and Development Study was completed in August, 2003. The study provided a profile of the agricultural sector in Hamilton based on Statistics Canada data from 1976 to 2001. In 2007, the City of Hamilton continued the process by developing a long term Agricultural Action Plan that identified tasks to support and sustain the Agriculture sector in this community. One of the primary tasks identified in the 2007 Agricultural Action Plan was to update Hamilton’s agricultural profile by incorporating the 2006 census data, thereby identifying the changes that have occurred to the sector since 2001.
The Hamilton Agricultural Profile 2008 shows that agriculture is a significant component of the local economy and confirms that agriculture generates approximately $1.26 billion in economic activity into the City of Hamilton’s economy on an annual basis.
All of the City’s policies acknowledge the important contribution agriculture makes to the City’s economy and the quality of life for its residents, and support activities that will promote the industry. Hamilton is an area with a strong agricultural land base, the majority of the 227,000 acres within the Hamilton boundaries qualify as prime agricultural lands. Considering only 5% of the Canadian land mass constitutes prime land, the importance of this resource in Hamilton is significant. Statistics show strong local production in greenhouse, poultry and egg, mushroom vegetable, dairy, horse and pony with a spin-off to food processing companies and value-added agriculture-related business. Hamilton farmers continue to have very high productivity with an average per acre Gross Farm Receipts of $1,687, the fourth highest in Ontario;
The face of agriculture is changing, innovative practices and technologies are leading to new products, processes and improvements to this traditional sector. Hamilton, with its superior land base, central location, solid transportation network, benevolent climate and world-class natural based industry is in a position to take advantage of these many new markets and opportunities associated with an agriculturally related economy for the 21st century.
- Agricultural Profile 2008 (5 Mb)
- 2007 Hamilton Agricultural Action Plan
- 2003 Hamilton Agricultural Action Plan (16 Mb)
Food Processing
The food and beverage processing sector is Ontario and Canada’s third largest manufacturing sector. This industry has experienced an annual growth rate of 4 – 5 percent over the last five years. Hamilton’s food industry activities include food and beverage processing, warehousing and distribution, retailing and food service. To truly understand the depth of this sector in Hamilton a sector profile was undertaken in 2004. This profile will identify all directly and indirectly related companies, associations and institutions and will include a comprehensive database to assist with research and policy development. Ultimately the goal of the profile is to increase both investment and jobs through new foreign direct investments and to assist economic development analysis and local marketing initiative.
- Hamilton Food and Beverage Industry Profile (2.8Mb)
- Learn more about Food Processing here: LINK (video)
For more information please contact:
Brian Morris
Business Development Consultant
Tel: 905-546-2424 ext 5602
E-mail: Brian.Morris@hamilton.ca
