We often hear aboutfood self-sufficiency, especially at the moment. But what exactly does it mean?
Food self-sufficiency is an increasingly relevant issue in the current context. It is defined as the ability of a country or region to feed its population. This is achieved through local production. This self-sufficiency reduces dependence on imports and encourages the development of agriculture, whether individual (gardening) or collective (local farms).
Although Quebec is not totally self-sufficient, it has achieved this goal for several important products. These include
Québec’s dairy sector: an economic engine
The dairy sector is a major economic force in Quebec. It is Quebec’s most important agri-food industry, generating 24% of the province’s agricultural revenues. Quebec is Canada’s largest milk producer, contributing 36.9% of national production. The province is home to 46.4% of the country’s dairy farms, which translates into smaller operations than the Canadian average.
A variety of dairy products are made locally. These include plain milk, chocolate milk, cream, cheese, yoghurt, butter and ice cream. This variety meets the varied needs of consumers and consolidates Quebec’s position as a leader in dairy processing.
Did you know?
Dairy producers can be found all over Quebec. Most dairy farms are located in several regions.
- Chaudière-Appalaches: 23%.
- Montérégie: 19
- Centre-du-Québec: 14
- Lower St. Lawrence: 12
- Eastern Townships: 10
- Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean: 5%.
Quality and innovation: the strengths of the dairy industry
Québec is also a major player in dairy processing in Canada, generating 35.5% of this sector’s revenues. In particular, it is the largest producer of yogurt (74% of Canadian production) and cheese (50%). Québec fine cheeses regularly win awards in national and international competitions, recognizing the excellence and expertise of our artisan cheesemakers.
Quebec’s dairy sector is also renowned for its commitment to sustainability. It is the first agricultural sector in the province to carry out a life cycle analysis. This shows a significant reduction in water use and greenhouse gas emissions between 2011 and 2016. In addition, the ProAction program ensures that milk meets quality standards. It also ensures food safety, animal welfare and environmental protection. Quebec is also Canada’s leading producer of organic milk, a sector that is growing steadily.
Our commitment to farmers
The work of farmers and those involved in the dairy production chain is fundamental to Quebec’s food security and self-sufficiency. These combined efforts guarantee the availability of high-quality food, produced responsibly.
And to support these vital efforts, Distribution Robitaille is proud to be a partner available to all farmers. Whether for
If you would like to find out more, here are the data references used in this article: