Sales of greenhouse products in Canada declined 7.6 per cent from 2007 to $2.1 billion in 2008, as an increase in fruit and vegetable sales was more than offset by a drop in sales of flowers and plants, Statistics Canada reported Monday.
Total greenhouse area amounted to 20.8 million square metres, down from 20.9 million in 2007, the second consecutive annual decline. It was accompanied by lower production and sales, and by a drop in employment. The nursery sector also experienced a slight decrease in sales, the federal statistics agency said.Total operating expenses fell five per cent to $2 billion. Labour costs of $544 million accounted for 27.7 per cent of total expenses for greenhouse operators. The number of seasonal and permanent greenhouse workers declined by 8.6 per cent to 38,375.
Greenhouse operators reported total sales of flowers and plants amounting to $1.3 billion, down 13.6 per cent from 2007. Operators in Ontario, the largest producing province, reported a 20.7 per cent decline.
Sales of potted flowers and plants reached $647 million, representing nearly one half of all sales of flowers and plants. They were followed by sales of ornamental plants for transplanting, valued at $226 million, and sales of cut flowers at $126 million. Sales fell in all categories of flowers and plants.
Source: www.grainews.ca
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