Economists are forever imagining themselves impressing people at cocktail parties by posing and answering “do you know” questions. Here is a great example: Do you know that Alberta is Canada’s largest potato producer?

It’s true! At 27% of total production, Alberta produced the most potatoes in the country last year followed by Manitoba at 21% and PEI at 17%.

It was also a record-setting year with Alberta producing the most potatoes of any province ever.

The record was facilitated by the arrival of some much-needed rain and the highest yield per acre of any province on record, but it was also due to farmers planting more potatoes* in response to increased processing capacity in the province including the new $600 million expansion of the McCain facility near Coaldale. There was a similar increase in seeded area after the opening of the Cavendish Farms potato processing plant in Lethbridge in 2019.

Unlike the weather, the increased processing capacity is a relatively predictable source of demand for years to come and will support strong production going forward.

Unfortunately, it was a different story in Prince Edward Island where drought conditions pushed production to its second lowest level in 24 years.

The record-setting year for Alberta’s potato farmers is a good news story. At the same time, it is also a complex story with an abundance of potatoes also presenting potential challenges such as storage backlogs and lower prices.

And, while the U.S. has not imposed specific tariffs on Canadian potatoes or potato products, trade uncertainty is an ongoing concern with the Potato Growers of Alberta reporting that some processors reduced their contracted acres in 2025.** The value of Alberta potato product exports (not including fresh potatoes) to the U.S. was down by 12% over the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

As with other products, a case can be made to expand sales to countries other than the U.S. Sales of Alberta potato products were up 8% over the first nine months of last year.  

How things play out for the potato sector in 2026 will depend on a wide range of factors, but the additional in-place processing capacity, as mentioned above, is an ongoing asset while the fate of free trade with the U.S. remains a critical wild card. 

*Last year also broke the record for the most acres planted for potatoes in Alberta.

**The majority of potato production in Alberta is contracted prior to seeding. The processors determine their needs and producers plan accordingly.