Districts
The $195 million agricultural industry in Northern Ontario includes 2,800 farms, concentrated in the dairy and beef sectors, and 700,000 acres of farmed land. There also exists a significant crop industry, which is supported by related infrastructure improvements, such as tile drainage installation.
Approximately 6,200 people are employed in the Northern Ontario food processing industry. The majority of food processing businesses are bakeries, but the sector also includes dairies, meat and fish processing plants, provincially inspected abattoirs and small food manufacturing facilities.
Agricultural activity occurs across Northern Ontario. The type and level of activity is influenced by a combination of factors including climate, soil conditions and infrastructure. Although the North's agricultural sector is small in size compared to other parts of Ontario (the region's farms represent about 5% of the farms in Ontario).
Northern Ontario is divided into three regions