Blueberry Farms Replacing Pigs on Prince Edward Island

An income report released last week by Statistics Canada found that animal agriculture on Prince Edward Island is heavily declining. Instead, farmers are profiting from plant-based crops such as blueberries, potatoes, and soy. From 2000 to 2016, the worth of the pig industry fell by more than $20 million while the soy and blueberry industries—both of which were worth a miniscule amount in 2000—are currently valued at $16 million and $8.8 million, respectively. According to local news outlet CBC Canada, the number of pig farmers on the island is currently only a few dozen—compared to hundreds that were in operation in 2008. Stateside, farmers are planting 53 percent more chickpeas this year in anticipation of the increasing demand for plant-based protein.