Canadian Farm Incomes Up in 2000

OTTAWA - Jul 3/02 - SNS -- Canadian farm incomes posted a solid 8.9% improvement during the year 2000, according to the latest data compiled by Statistics Canada, for the largest percentage gain since 1995, according to analysis of data from personal income tax returns.

This growth was the result of a rise in both average net farm operating income (before depreciation) (+13.7%) and average off-farm income (+5.4%). The upturn in net farm operating income, which followed three straight annual declines, was responsible for most of the improvement in average total income.

Total income of farm operators across Canada averaged $43,558 in 2000. Average net farm operating income totalled $19,103, or almost 44% of total income, gaining two percentage points from 1999. Average off-farm income rose to $24,455 in 2000. Average off-farm employment income, which grew 6.5%, was the major factor in the increase in the average off-farm income of farm operators.

The biggest increase was recorded by the country's 2,290 potato producers, who saw average gross incomes rise 11.7% to $85,245, with $55,902 coming from onfarm income. This is the highest farm and highest average income of any group of agricultural producers in Canada. The group with the worst result are Canada's 85,780 cattle producers, who averaged $33,898 in income in 200, with just $9,412 coming from farming activity.

Grain and oilseed producers were closest to the national average. The 102,180 individuals in this category averaged $44,126 of total income with an average $18,614 coming from their farms. Specialty crop producers were not split out from this category.

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