Canada: Why Manitoba could overtake P.E.I. as Canada’s potato capital

Manitoba is digging into P.E.I.’s lead as Canada’s potato capital. More potatoes are being grown in Canada and Manitoba is largely responsible for the increase, according to new numbers from Statistics Canada. The agency reported Friday, potato production in Canada is up 4.1 per cent in 2015, Manitoba alone accounts for 57.2 per cent of the increase. “I think the potential is there for us to match P.E.I.’s total output,” said Dan Sawatzky manager of the Keystone Potato Producers Association. He “would not rule out” Manitoba surpassing P.E.I in the future. In 2015, P.E.I. represented 23.7 per cent of total Canadian potato production, Manitoba was close on its heels with 20.6 per cent. Prince Edward Island prides itself on being Canada’s king of spuds. The island is Canada’s largest potato producer and the industry is worth more than a billion dollars, according to the Prince Edward Island Potato Board. More