This document outlines the greenhouse industry in Ontario and discusses its challenges and opportunities. It notes that Ontario has the highest concentration of greenhouses in North America, accounting for 70% of national greenhouse area and production. However, the industry faces increasing operating costs from factors like higher minimum wage and electricity costs. It also faces disruption from the cannabis industry and uncertain trade terms. The document proposes tackling these challenges through adopting LED lighting to reduce energy costs, implementing labor-saving technologies, improving water management, and expanding markets. Overall it presents the greenhouse industry as an important economic sector in Ontario with opportunities for growth if these challenges can be addressed.

1. Olanike ALADENOLA
7th February, 2020

2. Outline
o Introduction
o Challenges
o Tackling the challenges
o Opportunities
o Way forward

3. the
facts o Ontario has the highest concentration of greenhouses
in North America
o Ontario represented 70% of total national harvested
greenhouse area and 69% of production
o contributed 70% of farm gate value
o In 2016, the Ontario greenhouse sector accounted
for $3.2 billion of the GDP and over 80,000 jobs
o Greenhouses produce seven times higher yields
compared to field production
o The value of greenhouse vegetable exports rose to
over $1.0 billion in 2018

4. Challenges
o Increasing operating cost
o Disruption from the New Legal Cannabis Market
o Uncertain Terms of Trade
o Water supply, waste water disposal
o Water supply and disposal
o Waste water disposal
o Growing media disposal
o Phosphorus pollution in Lake Erie

5. 1. Increasing operating cost
o Increased minimum wage – Ontario’s minimum wage increased
from $11.60/hour in 2017 to $14.00/hour in 2018 plus cost
of trips and accommodation
o 4352 permanent employees and 3694 seasonal employees
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/migrants/2017/10/09/leamington

6. o Lighting accounts for the
majority of greenhouse
electricity consumption
o The Essex region - highest
peak hour in 2024
o due to an increase in
grow lighting in the
region’s (from 4% of
greenhouse area in 2018
to 29% of area in 2024)
o existing growers are
adding grow lighting
Electricity consumption in the vegetable sector is forecast to jump by 282 %
in 2024 (473,000 MWh to 1,808,000 MWh)
Increasing operating cost (energy)

7. 2. Disruption from the New Legal Cannabis
Market
o Some existing greenhouse operators are selling their facilities
to cannabis producers
o Attracted labour and construction resources, in some cases
limiting the availability of these resources to greenhouse
operators in existing markets
Aphria, 2018
o Strong odour
o Uncertainty about its future
and impact on the existing
greenhouse sector

8. 3. Uncertain Terms of Trade
o Renegotiation of trade agreements and the use of tariffs for
political purposes has created uncertainty for trade within
North America including for the greenhouse sector which
exports a significant amount of produce south of Canada’s
border
nytimes.org
o And what if there is someday
a food safety scare related to
greenhouse vegetable from
Canada?
o Strong Canadian dollar

9. 4. Water supply, waste water disposal
o Water supply and disposal
o Waste water disposal
o Growing media disposal
o Phosphorus pollution in Lake Erie

10. 1.Implementing LED lighting (replace HPS)
o Review energy saving research to ensure a clear and
convincing information
o Seek validation from growers that have embraced LED –
(catalyst for other growers)
o Protection during transition period (HPS to LED)
o Collaborate with scientists/researchers to access what
has been save in terms of energy cost (first 2 years)
o Support continuous research to state clear horticulture
lighting standards for manufacturers
o Prepare proposals for more innovative research in energy
saving
Tackling the challenges – Cost of energy

11. 1.Implementing LED lighting (replace HPS)
o High efficiency fixtures, pumps and Circulation Fans
o Energy curtains
o Reduce the load during peak periods (Dec – Feb, 5-9 am)
o Staggering light cycle
o Automated environment controls
o Utilization of local energy resources (waste heat, wood
biomass)
o Invest in solar powered greenhouse
Tackling the challenges – Cost of energy

12. 2. Labor-saving
o Liaise with the government to have greenhouse worker
immigration policy
o Reinventing youth I n Agriculture program (scholarship, K12
program - STEAM, TTW, Integrate AI, automation and
robotics into Agric programs)
3. New and renovated greenhouse
o Use more of liquid fertilizer
o no installation of stormwater lines under the growing floor
o installing an impervious layer on top of the soil under the
troughs and collect all leaked nutrient-rich water
Tackling the challenges

13. 4. Storm water management
o Advice growers on sizing their storage pond
o Comply with disposal regulations (quality) and have ECA
5. Propose enactment of regulations on location and siting of
Greenhouse cannabis production
6. ECAs should utilize more stringent effluent quality parameters
7. Expand greenhouse vegetable market to other countries
Tackling the challenges

14. Opportunities
o There is a big opportunity for expansion
o Consumer interest in local supply
o Increase in fruits and vegetable consumption
o Canadian vegetable trade balance in 2016
o −2,005,008 CAD, 1023047 metric tonnes
o Established producing acreage
o Advance knowledge and technical skills
o Innovative solutions such as lighting and growing systems that
reduce production costs and increase efficiency and yield.

15. o Investment in Research
o Consult with industries and growers
o Other crop specialists
Way forward…….
Harrow

16. Collaboration
o Work with colleagues at OMAFRA
o Include growers in the planning and implementation process
o Research stations (scientists)
o Take clues from new greenhouse research findings in
Netherlands, Pennsylvania, New Jersey etc.

17. Funding and research outputs
o Seek for funding
o The Canadian Agricultural Partnership
o The Greenhouse Competitiveness and Innovation Initiative
o Getting it off shelf to the users
o Incorporate 4 A’s of Adoption
o Use different KTT approaches to disseminate research
findings

18. References
o Greenhouse energy profile summary report
o Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Fact sheets
o Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0456-01 Production and
value of greenhouse vegetables
o Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0019-01 Estimates of
specialized greenhouse operations, greenhouse area, and
months of operation
o Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0028-01 Total number of
employees of specialized greenhouse operations
o Statistics Canada. CATSNET