ONB News
New Brunswick’s Picketa Systems is Changing the Game for Farmers
June 16, 2022
Shaping an Innovative Agritech Industry
New Brunswick offers competitive advantages through market access, a diverse energy mix, land and water access, low costs, and government partnerships.
Getting Product to the World
Situated in an optimal location, New Brunswick provides easy access to major population hubs in Canada and the Northeastern United States. We can get your product anywhere in the world giving you an export advantage
Diverse and Competitive Energy
We have a diverse mix of energy options that are competitive and sustainable. New Brunswick has one of the most diverse energy portfolios in North America. From hydroelectric power to nuclear, wind power, biofuels, and natural gas, we can service your energy needs. Our 80% non-emitting grid is a big draw for businesses looking to reduce the carbon footprint of their operations.
Did you know?
New Brunswick has strong average daily solar irradiation, making it the leading location for solar energy in Atlantic Canada and highly competitive with Central Canada, reducing overall energy costs.
Abundant Land and Water Resources
Land
New Brunswick has approximately 380,000 hectares of farmland, 25% of which is under-utilized. Our land costs are some of the most attractive in the country. We continue to work on identifying land options that offer the infrastructure needed for the long-term success of the agriculture industry, including Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA).
Water
New Brunswick is rich in water supply with approximately 60,000 km of rivers and streams, and 2,500 lakes and ponds. Compared to other regions in Canada with high threats to water availability, New Brunswick’s water demand is low, using less than 10% of available resources.
Heating Solutions
Biofuels
New Brunswick offers many heating options through forest biomass (pulpwood, wood chips/sawdust, and wood pellets). Greenhouses using locally sourced forest products can lead to significant cost savings.
Natural Gas
New Brunswick is connected to one of North America’s most modern natural gas pipelines, interconnected to the U.S. through the Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline. The province is committed to enabling the local production and use of renewable natural gas.
A Low-Cost Jurisdiction
Leverage some of the lowest electricity prices in Eastern Canada and the United States:
-
Source: 2023 Hydro-Québec report
*Power demand: 5,000 kW
*Consumption: 3,060,000 kWh -
Source: 2022 FCC Farmland Values Report
A Supportive Government Partner
The Government of New Brunswick’s Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries (DAAF) delivers targeted programs and services to support economic development opportunities related to the sustainable primary and value-added agriculture, aquaculture, and fisheries sectors. Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) has been identified as a key sector to increase food self-sufficiency. This includes the expansion of indoor farming, greenhouses, and aquaponics facilities.
ONB provides client-specific tailored services to ensure that any company looking to expand in New Brunswick is positioned for success. We understand your business needs but most importantly your pain points. Our team will be with you every step of the way.
Home to an Agricultural Giant
New Brunswick is recognized as an international leader in potato research and production, thanks in part to McCain Foods, the world’s largest manufacturer of frozen French fries and potato specialties.
The company’s products can be found in thousands of restaurants and supermarket freezers in more than 160 countries. One in every four French fries in the world is a McCain fry.
Solutions to Your Talent Needs
Opportunities New Brunswick and its partners are committed to helping companies get access to great talent. We ensure our workforce is trained to support your industry by connecting you with our post-secondary institutions to develop curriculums designed to meet your needs. As Canada’s only officially bilingual province, we offer a diverse talent pool fluent in both English and French.
The New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) and Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB) are expanding ag-technician programs.
CCNB, for example, created a Cultivation Technician Program, the first of its kind in Canada, to support the workforce growth of our controlled environment agriculture sector in cannabis.
