Radio-Canada.ca takes stock of Quebec's greenhouse growth strategy launched in 2020. Thanks to a $150 million grant, the Legault government has stimulated investments totalling $875 million, enabling Quebec to meet - and even exceed - its initial goal of doubling greenhouse fruit and vegetable production* by 2025.
Tomatoes account for 53% of greenhouse fruit and vegetable production in the Canadian province.
More than 330 new greenhouses and around 40 large tunnels have been built across the province. According to Canadian minister of agriculture André Lamontagne, the annual production has increased from 41,500 to 86,000 tons, strengthening Quebec's food self-sufficiency, especially in the winter time.
Although production remains concentrated around tomatoes (53%), cucumbers (35%), and lettuce (7%), diversification is emerging with the gradual arrival of crops such as peppers and eggplants. Subsidies have enabled both large companies and smaller producers, such as L'Abri végétal in the Eastern Townships, to modernize their equipment and significantly increase their yields, sometimes up to six times the initial production.
André Mousseau, president of Producteurs en Serre du Québec, points out that the breakdown of the funding has allowed a greater number of players to benefit from the program, which marks a significant change from previous initiatives.
Now that the subsidy programs have ended, the government is focusing on competitiveness and productivity to support the sector. Some producers, such as Frédéric Jobin-Lawler, are hoping for increased support to facilitate access to large distribution chains, which remains difficult despite the increase in local supply.