Agriculture is a vital part of Alberta’s economy, and Calgary benefits from its access to a diverse landscape ideal for growing a variety of crops and raising livestock. The city has emerged as a centre for agribusiness, with ag companies, research institutions and academic programs clustered here. This critical mass of expertise is driving the sector forward with technical talent, the application of agricultural technologies and financial and business know-how.
Due to its location in the heart of Southern Alberta and the strength of the agriculture sector here, multinational industry leaders have major operations in Calgary. These firms represent key decision makers in the industry and are leaders in agricultural innovation. They are also premier employers of high-value jobs in the sector.
Calgary’s air, rail and road access to key North American and international markets make Calgary an ideal distribution hub for firms to sell their products globally. Calgary is intersected by the Trans-Canada Highway (east/west) and Highway 2 (north/south), the CANAMEX corridor, allowing companies to reach millions of consumers within a one-day trip. Intermodal facilities for two Class 1 railways and one of Canada’s busiest airports provide efficient access to consumer markets worldwide.
Calgary is a hub for precision agriculture and agricultural technology, with more than 22 facilities in Alberta playing an important role in ag research and innovation.
With a history rooted in agriculture and a critical mass of companies, Calgary is home to a workforce with specialized skills and technical talent.
Post-secondary institutions in and around Calgary are educating the next generation of agricultural leaders. Schools offering specialized training in horticulture, food safety and quality, livestock genetics, crop science and veterinary sciences contribute to a vibrant talent base.
As a North American hub for geospatial science, the application of technology including unmanned aerial vehicles and GIS mapping is allowing for more productive collection of farming data for crop and livestock management and monitoring.
A unique partnership between Calgary Economic Development and Olds College, the corridor leverages Calgary’s global corporate presence and distribution hub with Olds College’s Smart Farm applied research pillar and integrated learning.
Through the corridor, companies and entrepreneurs have access to a world-class agribusiness environment that supports the development and scaling of new technologies designed to drive innovation in smart agri-food production.
Learn about Calgary’s advantages and opportunities in the agribusiness sector.
Download report
At ATB Financial and ATB Business, we’re committed to supporting the success of Alberta entrepreneurs. We have dedicated experts, innovative solutions and an unparalleled understanding of Alberta business. Whether you’re starting a business, expanding it to new markets, or tackling your next entrepreneurial challenge, we’re here to help.
Nutrien is the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services, playing a critical role in helping growers increase food production in a sustainable manner.
TELUS is a leading telecommunications company in Canada, with 11.6 million customer connections including 6.1 million wireless subscribers, 4.2 million wireline network access lines and 1.2 million Internet subscribers.
Previous
