The $12-Billion Opportunity Farmers Can’t Afford to Ignore

The world is hungry for Alberta’s high-quality ag products — see which markets are paying top dollar.

Alberta’s food manufacturing sector has been making headlines, and for good reason — the province now leads Western Canada in total food manufacturing sales. But what does that really mean for farmers at the ground level? How do billion-dollar headlines translate into real opportunities at the farm gate?

In a recent episode of the Alberta Seed Guide podcast, host Marc Zienkiewicz sat down with Anton Bellot, director of the agri-food sector for ATB Financial, to break down the trends shaping Alberta’s Ag & Food Processing sector — and what producers should be paying attention to as they plan for 2026 and beyond.

Meat, Milling, and More: Where Alberta’s Manufacturing Strength Really Comes From

When we talk about Alberta leading Western Canada in food manufacturing sales, much of that growth stems from the province’s well-established protein sector.

“About 55% of those sales come from meat processing,” Bellot explains. “JBS and Cargill continue to expand their reach in both domestic and international markets, which is great news for ranchers.”

But opportunities aren’t limited to the big players. There is a big opportunity for Alberta’s mid-sized processors creating new outlets for ranchers.

The remaining 45% of manufacturing activity includes a diverse set of value-added categories:

• Canola crush. New and expanding canola processing facilities have become a major driver of provincial investment. For growers, this means stronger local demand for seed and greater potential for competitive pricing.