Issue Briefs.
Agriculture Policy Trends: Labour Shortage in Alberta Agriculture
Alberta agriculture faces severe labour shortages, with unfilled jobs and lost sales. Explore the workforce crisis shaping Canadian farm policy.
In 2021, employers across agricultural sectors reported labor shortages: 53% in food and beverage manufacturing, 24% in ag tech, 21% livestock production and 17% in grain and seed production. In 2022, 62% of agri-business owners reported recruiting challenges, leaving 28,000 jobs unfilled in peak season and $3.5 billion in lost sales.