Seafood and Agrifood BC

British Columbia produces a wider variety of agricultural products over more geographic and climatic zones than any other area of Canada. The wholesale value of production averages about $1 billion annually.

• The five largest agri-food industries here are meat and meat products, beverages, dairy products, fruit and vegetable, and animal food products.
• British Columbia's wines consistently win international attention and awards. The BC Wine Institute reports 12,394,757 litres of wine were produced in 2007. There are 160 wineries in the province with about 9,100 acres in grape production.
• British Columbia is also home to a vigorous organic sector and was the first jurisdiction in Canada to regulate certification of organic products. British Columbia led development of the National Standard of Canada for Organic Agriculture.

Seafood is the province's top food export with shipments to more than 80 countries.

• British Columbia is home to prime fishing grounds, world famous salmon rearing rivers and cool, pristine ocean farming areas.
• There are more than 90 species of wild and cultured fish, shellfish and marine plants. Food safety, traceability, and sustainability practices are the cornerstones of our seafood sector.
• The seafood sector applies leading technology and processes on fishing grounds, on the farms, and in Government of Canada-inspected and approved processing plants.
• With several major fisheries Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified, and others in the process, BC is committed to resource sustainability.   
• The province is the fourth largest producer of farmed salmon in the world. Our aquaculture industry is highly regulated and promotes environmental stewardship.

For more information on British Columbia agriculture and seafood products visit the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Oceans and Marine Fisheries at the Ministry of Environment, and BC Seafood. For further news and information on the marine industry visit Ocean and Marinespace BC.