Carole Hillson, McBride's Bakery owner. (CHAT News photo)

By Alex McCuaig

A keystone industry

Regional ag sector stabilizing local economy

Apr 7, 2020 | 5:56 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Alberta’s agriculture sector is widely celebrated symbolically through rodeos and agricultural fairs. But that recognition is becoming more tangible as the global COVID-19 pandemic has put into focus southeastern Alberta’s position on the front-end of the food supply chain.

“The pandemic is a very dark cloud but if there is a silver lining for the agricultural and agri-food sector, it’s that I think it’ll be less likely to be taken for granted,” said Rob Roach, ATB Financial director of research.

Roach says agriculture in Alberta is a keystone industry, “so it attracts and supports a lot of other businesses and activity. The growth option are very large but it’ll take time.”

Though he didn’t go so far to suggest agriculture will overtake the oil and gas sector.

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But, Roach added, the agriculture sector is providing continuity during a time of unpredictability in other Alberta industries.

“At the end of the day, we all have to eat and it’s not as though the agriculture sector hasn’t been affected,” said Roach. “But it’s one of the parts of the economy that is carrying on as normal. And after the pandemic, it won’t have to bounce back in the way other parts of the economy will.”

Roach added the table was already set for a greater domestic consumption of Alberta agriculture products prior to the pandemic with an acceptance of the farm to fork concept that has only increased since.

For McBride’s Bakery owner Carole Hillson, that’s a concept her business is based on by building brand loyalty by locally producing a value-added product from an Alberta-sourced commodity like wheat.

“All our wheat is from basically in Alberta,” said Hillson. “So, we’re not heavily reliant on supply chains. The goal is to be a business ready for the next economy, whatever that is.”

Lisa Kowalchuk, Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce director, says there continues to be challenges to the agriculture sector – including the recently imposed carbon tax that took effect on April 1 – but the industry will be a steady force in the regional economy.

“We certainly recognize the importance of our food and food security now more than ever,” said Kowalchuk, adding it will be a stabilizing sector as the province moves towards a post-pandemic recovery.