Agriculture By The Numbers
64 dairy cattle per herd
The average dairy herd in Quebec is 64 head. In California, this average is 1,056 head.
The UPA has 27 specialized groups
Through its specialized groups, the organization brings farmers together by sector including dairy, pork, beef, poultry, and grains.
Regional federations
The UPA is made up of 12 regional federations from all across Quebec.
25 years of international cooperation
The UPA shares Quebec farmers’ knowledge with the world through UPA Développement International (UPA DI).
The UPA was founded on Thursday, October 2, 1924
The UPA has been championing the farming profession and building the future for 93 years.
2% of land in Quebec
Only 2% of Quebec’s land area is devoted to farmland. Both rare and non-renewable, this precious resource feeds the whole province. This figure is 58% in France and 45% in the United States.
One in three young farmers runs his or her own business
In 2011, a third of young farmers got their start by going into business.
Quebecers who farm for a living
Farmers invest $6.2 million per year
Quebec farmers collectively invest in research. This is over and above the amount they invest in adopting new practices and technologies!
Average placement rate
This is the placement rate in the agriculture sector for students coming out of secondary school, college, and university training programs.
Most maple syrup is from Quebec
Quebec produced this percentage of the world’s maple syrup in 2015.
Number of farms in Quebec
The province is home to 29,000 farms.
Numer of maple syrup categories
The grading system of the maple syrup is divided in 4 categories. Classification is based on light transmission going from golden, delicate taste to very dark, strong taste.
Local purchasing in Quebec
Currently, nearly 33% of food products consumed by Quebecers come from Quebec farms, and 55% of food purchased by the Quebec distribution network comes from local suppliers. Did you know that if every consumer spent $30 more on Quebec food products annually, this would generate over $1 billion in additional sales over five years?
A sound investment
Dollar for dollar, agriculture generates more jobs than other economic sectors. For example, for $100 million in investment, the agriculture sector creates 1,042.3 jobs. This figure is 845.7 in construction, 834.4 in culture, 469.2 in oil and gas, 591.7 in finance and 320.9 in public services.
Major tax revenues of $4.6 billion
Each year, agricultural production and processing generate nearly $4.6 billion in tax and incidental revenue ($3.3 billion from processing, $1.3 billion from production). When you take away the $1 billion the industry receives in government support, this leaves a net contribution of $3.6 billion to public coffers. The Quebec government receives the largest share of the revenue ($2.6 billion), followed by the federal government ($1.6 billion) and the municipalities ($400 million).
