By Alice McFarlane

Food manufacturing key to food security

Sep 6, 2024 | 3:57 PM

According to a recent FCC Economics report, Canadian food manufacturing plays a crucial role in addressing the need to sustainably feed a growing global population.

Food is the largest manufacturing sector in Canada by both employment and sales. The sector is poised to be a world leader in sustainable food production.

“If we’re going to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing our planet like hunger, global health, climate change and stagnant economic growth, we need to build new and ambitious partnerships with key sectors like food manufacturing,” said Krishen Rangasamy, Farm Credit Canada manager of economic insights. “To fully capitalize on this opportunity, we also need to engage investment and innovation by those in our industry and beyond.”

With the world’s population expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that agricultural production needs to increase by 60 per cent over 2005 levels. The challenge requires producing more food with the same or fewer inputs- a task that Canadian food manufacturing is well-positioned to tackle as it makes the most of the potential created through smart manufacturing and digitization.

Productivity increases when output grows faster than working hours, a trend that has been evident in Canadian food manufacturing over the past two decades. Despite challenges between 2008 and 2012, the industry has rebounded.

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After a period of decline, the industry rebounded by investing in new technologies and consolidating operations, leading to an 11 per cent productivity growth between 2013 and 2017. Productivity growth has been relatively flat in recent years.

(submitted photo/Farm Credit Canada)

Rangasamy added it’s also important to attract investment from sectors outside of agriculture and food.

“To truly harness the potential of the fourth industrial revolution, we need greater investment from those who may not traditionally see themselves as part of the ag and food industry,” he said. “This will help us scale up and innovate, ensuring that Canada not only meets the food demands of tomorrow but does so in a way that benefits all Canadians.”

Rangasamy said by embracing new technologies and fostering cross-sector investment, the industry can continue to lead in sustainable food production, ensuring a stable food supply and contributing to the global effort to feed the world.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @farmnewsNOW