The results of a study by Informa Economics, commissioned by the Manitoba Corn Growers Association, shows that the corn industry in Manitoba is stabilizing; that acres are increasing – reducing the dependency on U.S. corn imports; and that the economic benefits from corn production in 2012 provided greater economic support on a per hectare basis than alternatives (i.e. canola).
Informa estimated that 2012 Manitoba corn production provided $116.97 million in added value to the Provincial economy. This support to the local economy is a result of direct, indirect, and induced business sales of $281.32 million and employment of 852 jobs, which includes 402 full-time-equivalent non-farm jobs. The boost to Manitoba’s economy from choosing corn over an alternative, such as canola, was an increase of $16.06 million from increased sales of $121.13 million and employment of 168 jobs additional non-farm jobs.
Manitoba corn production indirectly supports businesses in other provinces. The economic support to the Canadian economy, including Manitoba, from the 2012 corn crop was $168.23 million generated from $383.90 million in business sales and 1,272 total jobs.
MCGA President Myron Krahn was pleased with the results of the study and indicated that corn has always been an important crop for Manitoba, but as a result of corn’s expansion into non-traditional growing areas and increasing commitments to research from seed companies, the importance of Manitoba corn is expected to grow in the coming years.
