British Columbia (BC), located in the far west of Canada's Pacific coast, offers a variety of agricultural, food and beverage opportunities with its diverse landscape, long coastline and temperate climate. Industry leaders are leveraging British Columbia's natural assets with a primary focus on sustainability, safety, quality and innovation.
BC has one of Canada's most diverse agriculture, seafood and food processing industries, which exports more than 500 agricultural products and 180 different types of seafood and is home to a world-renowned wine industry. More than 2,900 companies are based here in this area. They generate an annual turnover of over 14 billion dollars and employ thousands of people. British Columbia's high-quality agricultural, seafood and processed food products are in demand worldwide and are shipped around the world via an extensive and efficient network of shipping, air, rail and road connections. In 2022, BC exported $6.2 billion worth of food to 118 markets.
British Columbia is home to over 900 wineries and is known worldwide for its award-winning wines - particularly, but not only, from the Okanagan Valley. BC winemakers win hundreds of awards in national and international competitions each year. Over 80 different grape varieties are grown here, with the ten most important varieties being Merlot, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah.
In addition to wine, British Columbia also produces famous craft ciders, craft beers and spirits, including whiskey and vodka. The province is also known for its fresh glacier spring water and a variety of fruit and vegetable juices. In 2022, BC exported nearly C$230 million worth of beverages.
The Nanaimo bars are a culinary classic from British Columbia. Named after the coastal town of the same name, this dessert has won the hearts of all Canadians by storm. In our Taste of Canada recipe category you will find ingredients and instructions so that you can also prepare the delicious bars at home.
The plant-based and natural food industry in British Columbia has seen remarkable growth in recent years. In light of increasing demand for healthier and sustainable food, the province has become a center for innovative plant-based products and companies. Local producers take advantage of the wealth of fresh produce and natural ingredients and produce a wide range of plant-based alternatives, including meat substitutes, dairy-free products, and gluten-free options. Vancouver in particular has become a stronghold of plant-based cuisine and has a lively food scene that caters to a wide range of dietary needs and preferences. British Columbia's plant-based and “free-from” food industry is paving the way for a sustainable, environmentally friendly and delicious culinary landscape.
British Columbia's world-class fishing grounds, world-famous salmon rearing rivers and pristine marine farming areas produce a rich and varied harvest of fish, seafood and shellfish. The most important fish species include farmed and wild salmon, halibut, rockfish, hake, sable, herring and tuna fish. Major shellfish in BC include wild and farmed mussels, farmed oysters, crabs, shrimp, geoduck, sea urchins and sea cucumbers, as well as a variety of marine plants. In British Columbia, there are six species that can bear the Marine Stewardship Council seal: halibut, hake, albacore tuna, sockeye salmon, keta salmon and humpback salmon.
BC's diverse climate enables the cultivation of a wide variety of berries, grapes, tree fruits and nuts on around 25,000 hectares of arable land. Fruits grown here include blueberries, apples, cherries, peaches, pears, plums, nectarines, and apricots, as well as nuts, including hazelnuts, walnuts, chestnuts, and pecans. In British Columbia, grapes are also grown on almost 4,000 hectares — that results in more than 29,500 tons of grapes per year.
Natural health products from British Columbia are among the best in the world when it comes to nutrition, quality, and scientific research. They come in many different forms, including vitamins and minerals, herbal remedies, homeopathic medicines, probiotics, amino acids, fatty acids, and traditional medicines.
The pet food industry in British Columbia is thriving with a diverse range of high-quality products. With the increasing number of pet owners, the market has grown significantly and is recording remarkable sales figures. BC is Canada's third-largest province for exporting pet food products all over the world. In particular, the provincial pet food industry is seeing a growing demand for premium and organic pet food.
We can only warn: Don't challenge British Columbia to a nature competition! Because the province has an unfair advantage: Here, the Pacific Ocean meets the hustle and bustle of the city and towering forests; here, snow-capped mountains merge into picturesque valleys. A breathtaking combination! Science has proven that spending time in nature can make you happier, healthier and reduce stress. And there is hardly any place where that works better than in BC The province proudly calls it the British Columbia effect. Cities that are right at the gates of the wilderness make it easy for you to immerse yourself in nature and explore the endless possibilities of the great outdoors.