N.B. cannabis generates more farm cash receipts than potatoes

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Marijuana is proving to be a massive cash crop for New Brunswick.

Per recently-released figures from Statistics Canada, cannabis cultivation has been a financial boon for the province, generating a whopping $244.7 million in farm cash receipts last year — considerably more than agricultural stalwarts like maple syrup, potatoes, or blueberries.

Comparatively, maple syrup and maple products generated $20.6 million, fresh fruit $36.9 million, and potatoes $152.9 million in farm cash receipts for 2020, which is the first year cannabis has been included in farm cash receipt stats.

Farm cash receipts represent cash income generated from the sale of an agricultural commodity, such as cannabis or poultry. The cash receipts also account for “direct program payments made to support or subsidize the agriculture sector,” according to Statistics Canada.

Despite pot’s stellar performance, it hasn’t overtaken potatoes as the province’s top cash cow. Thanks to the root vegetable’s versatility, it still contributes more to New Brunswick’s GDP than its skunky counterpart.

“What happens with potatoes is they get turned into French Fries, they get turned into potato chips and other products. When you add all that together, the GDP contribution from potatoes is much higher, it’s close to double what we’re getting from cannabis,” says Economist David Campbell told Country 94. “I think that’s a key point is that the value-add is part of this. But as a raw crop, the receipts from cannabis now are significantly higher than potatoes.”

In other words, watch out, New Brunswick spuds — because the buds may be coming for your crown.

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