BE Guide Nov 2023 WORKING

The Edmonton Metropolitan Region’s food and agriculture sector has deep roots and is home to both developed and emerging industries. The region hosts the entire sector value chain including high-quality primary production, a cluster of processing plants, globally connected logistics, and a supplementary manufacturing sector. With 7 post-secondary institutions in Edmonton, businesses have unprecedented access to skilled talent. Research agrees: 89% of employers in Alberta are highly satisfied with the skills and work quality of post-secondary graduates. Beyond our city limits, the province of Alberta is also expanding its agricultural sector through innovation, technology, and the development of new bio-based products. Having long been an agricultural powerhouse, Alberta established crop farming in the early 1900s with the development of earlier-maturing wheat varieties. Building off its rich history, the agricultural industry is developing new technologies to increase production, improve efficiency, and create high-quality, value-added products. Alberta is home to global agribusinesses leading the transformation of sustainable food and environmental stewardship. As a leading producer of canola, wheat, dry peas, barley, and cattle, Alberta is growing its food processing capabilities. The province’s arable lands, abundance of sunshine, and extensive irrigation network make it an ideal place to produce primary agricultural products. Global connectivity and business friendly policies open tremendous opportunities for agriculture processing facilities to establish Alberta as their North America hub.