The Treadmill of Farming: Cost-Price Squeeze, Growth Imperatives and the Political Economy of Canadian Agriculture
Description
The research hypothesizes that Canadian agriculture is governed by a structural growth imperative driven by the cost–price squeeze and the agricultural treadmill. The data show rising capital, operating expenses, and break-even production levels alongside increasing net income requirements for reinvestment. 1. Cranberry production - APCQ data (1996-2024) This dataset compiles annual provincial data on Québec cranberry production from 1996–2024, sourced from the Association des producteurs de canneberges du Québec (APCQ). Variables include total harvest (kg), number of farms, area in production (ha), yield (kg/ha), and harvest per farm. The dataset supports analysis of long-term structural and production dynamics. 2. Farm capital and operating expenses This dataset compiles historical Census of Agriculture data on farm capital, and operating expenses for Canada and selected provinces. Each jurisdiction has a dedicated tab with raw (non–inflation-adjusted) values. A final synthesis tab aggregates all jurisdictions and variables, presenting both non-adjusted and inflation-adjusted tables alongside corresponding time-series graphs to enable comparative and longitudinal analysis of structural change in Canadian agriculture. 3. Farm financial survey, capital investment and capital sales of farms, average per farm This dataset is based on Statistics Canada Table 32-10-0104-01 (formerly CANSIM 002-0074) and reports average per-farm capital investment and capital sales for farms with gross revenues ≥$25,000. Each jurisdiction (Canada and provinces) is presented in a dedicated tab with non–inflation-adjusted values. A final synthesis tab aggregates all jurisdictions by variable, providing both non-adjusted and inflation-adjusted tables and their corresponding time-series graphs. 4. Net farm income (x 1,000) This dataset compiles long-term farm income and structural data for Canada and selected provinces using Statistics Canada tables 32-10-0052-01 (Net farm income, x1000) and 32-10-0156-01 (Number of farms). For each jurisdiction, three tabs are provided: (1) net cash income, (2) number of farms, and (3) net cash income per farm, calculated by dividing total net farm income by the number of farms. A final synthesis tab aggregates all jurisdictions by net cash income per farm and presents non–inflation-adjusted tables, inflation-adjusted tables, and corresponding time-series graphs. 5. PPI Data - used for inflation adjustment This dataset compiles monthly Industrial Product Price Index (IPPI) data from Statistics Canada Table 18-10-0265-01, by major product group. It is used to support inflation adjustment of agricultural financial variables. The spreadsheet contains annualized series constructed from monthly IPPI values and is intended for longitudinal price-level comparisons across years.
Files
Steps to reproduce
1.Cranberry production - APCQ data (1996-2024) To reproduce the dataset, download the APCQ document “Culture de la canneberge au Québec (conventionnel et biologique) 1992–2024” from the APCQ Statistics section. Extract annual data for 1996–2024 on total harvest (kg), number of farms, area (ha), and yield. Compute harvest per farm as total harvest divided by number of farms. 2. Farm capital and operating expenses To reproduce the farm capital and operating expenses indicators, download Table 32-10-0164-01 (formerly CANSIM 004-0012) from Statistics Canada. Extract total farm capital (1976-2021) and total farm operating expenses (1986-2021) for Canada and selected provinces. Express all values per farm by dividing totals by the number of farms for each census year. 3. Farm financial survey, capital investment and capital sales of farms, average per farm To reproduce the dataset, download Table 32-10-0104-01 from Statistics Canada. Extract average per-farm capital investment and capital sales by jurisdiction and year. Organize each jurisdiction in a separate spreadsheet tab. Compile all jurisdictions into a final tab by variable. Apply a price index to generate inflation-adjusted series while retaining raw values, then produce comparative time-series graphs. 4. Net farm income (x 1,000) To reproduce the dataset, download Statistics Canada Table 32-10-0052-01 for annual net farm income and Table 32-10-0156-01 for the number of farms by jurisdiction and year. For each jurisdiction, organize net income and farm counts in separate tabs. Compute net cash income per farm by dividing net farm income by the number of farms for each year. Compile all jurisdictions into a final tab by variable. Apply an appropriate price index to generate inflation-adjusted series while retaining raw values, and generate time-series graphs for each variable. 5. PPI Data - used for inflation adjustment To reproduce the dataset, download Table 18-10-0265-01 from Statistics Canada. For each year, select the December IPPI value. Compile these December values into an annual time series. Use the resulting series as the deflator to convert nominal values into inflation-adjusted values.
Institutions
- University of Waterloo School of Environment Resources and SustainabilityON, Waterloo