The Treadmill of Farming: Cost-Price Squeeze, Growth Imperatives and the Political Economy of Canadian Agriculture

The research hypothesizes that Canadian agriculture is governed by a structural growth imperative driven by the cost–price squeeze and the agricultural treadmill. The data show rising capital, operating expenses, and break-even production levels alongside increasing net income requirements for reinvestment.

1. Cranberry production - APCQ data (1996-2024)
This dataset compiles annual provincial data on Québec cranberry production from 1996–2024, sourced from the Association des producteurs de canneberges du Québec (APCQ). Variables include total harvest (kg), number of farms, area in production (ha), yield (kg/ha), and harvest per farm. The dataset supports analysis of long-term structural and production dynamics.

2. Farm capital and operating expenses
This dataset compiles historical Census of Agriculture data on farm capital, and operating expenses for Canada and selected provinces. Each jurisdiction has a dedicated tab with raw (non–inflation-adjusted) values. A final synthesis tab aggregates all jurisdictions and variables, presenting both non-adjusted and inflation-adjusted tables alongside corresponding time-series graphs to enable comparative and longitudinal analysis of structural change in Canadian agriculture.

3. Farm financial survey, capital investment and capital sales of farms, average per farm
This dataset is based on Statistics Canada Table 32-10-0104-01 (formerly CANSIM 002-0074) and reports average per-farm capital investment and capital sales for farms with gross revenues ≥$25,000. Each jurisdiction (Canada and provinces) is presented in a dedicated tab with non–inflation-adjusted values. A final synthesis tab aggregates all jurisdictions by variable, providing both non-adjusted and inflation-adjusted tables and their corresponding time-series graphs.

4. Net farm income (x 1,000)
This dataset compiles long-term farm income and structural data for Canada and selected provinces using Statistics Canada tables 32-10-0052-01 (Net farm income, x1000) and 32-10-0156-01 (Number of farms). For each jurisdiction, three tabs are provided: (1) net cash income, (2) number of farms, and (3) net cash income per farm, calculated by dividing total net farm income by the number of farms. A final synthesis tab aggregates all jurisdictions by net cash income per farm and presents non–inflation-adjusted tables, inflation-adjusted tables, and corresponding time-series graphs.

5. PPI Data - used for inflation adjustment
This dataset compiles monthly Industrial Product Price Index (IPPI) data from Statistics Canada Table 18-10-0265-01, by major product group. It is used to support inflation adjustment of agricultural financial variables. The spreadsheet contains annualized series constructed from monthly IPPI values and is intended for longitudinal price-level comparisons across years.