Alberta farmers are VERY vulnerable to Trump tariffs — how screwed are we?
From beef to barley, Alberta’s agricultural producers are bracing for potential fallout from U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canadian goods.
While the so-called “liberation day” tariffs spared the agriculture sector this time, the uncertainty has rattled producers in Alberta, who are already struggling with rising costs, drought conditions, and supply chain issues.
So, how screwed are we, and is there anything we can do about it? We spoke with the Alberta Federation of Agriculture (AFA) to get the pulse on Alberta’s farmers.
In 2024, Alberta exported $17.5 billion in primary and value-added agricultural goods. More than half of that ($9.3 billion) went to the U.S., followed by China, Japan, Mexico, and India.
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Alberta’s top exports were beef ($3.8 billion), wheat ($2.8 billion), and canola seed ($1.7 billion).
Top exports to the U.S. include field crops ($2.4 billion), livestock ($1.25 billion), meat ($2.45 billion), and processed foods. About 90 per cent of Western Canada’s oats are also shipped south, where oats aren’t a priority crop.
According to Aaron Stein, executive director of the AFA, Alberta produces more than it can consume, making international trade critical for farmers.
While Alberta focuses on non-supply-managed products, some Canadian goods, such as dairy and eggs, are protected by supply management. This system regulates production to maintain stable prices and quality, and it’s often a sticking point in U.S.-Canada trade disputes. Trump has repeatedly criticized it, calling it unfair to American farmers.
“In general, the ag producers of Alberta are quite susceptible to tariffs, should they be implemented,” Stein explained.
“When you start to talk about commodity products, which you can buy anywhere — for example, canola from China or potash from Russia — some of these products, the importer will come back and say to the Canadian farmer or the Canadian grain company, ‘hey, we want you to eat these costs.'”
For now, exports covered under CUSMA (the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement) remain protected, but as we’ve come to see over the last couple of months, things can change quickly.
“This hasn’t been the first time there’s been tariffs and impacts on the industry, but I think our producers need to be recognized for some of this hardship that’s come their way.”
“Alberta has some of the most resilient, dynamic, creative, and honest, hardworking producers in the world,” said Stein. “They are the backbone of the Alberta economy, and feeding not only Canada and the U.S., but the world.”
Albertans can help by buying and supporting local, and you might be surprised by just how much of what’s in your pantry is made right here in Alberta, from sugar to beer, beef, and oats.
Stein recommends hitting up your local farmers’ market or looking for “Product of Canada” or “Made in Alberta” labels when grocery shopping. He noted that while you may end up paying a little more to invest in the local economy, some Alberta-grown products are notably cheaper than alternatives.
“Expressing love like we did during COVID for Canadian and Alberta producers and farmers, I think is something that would go a long way to helping support what have been some very challenging years.”