South Coast - Overview

Last updated on August 27, 2024

The South Coast is both a significant supplier and consumer of agricultural products, and a major contributor to the province’s economy and food security.

The region is favoured with a large and diverse local market, easy access to the U.S. border and Port Metro Vancouver for international markets. Over half of the province’s population lives in the Metro Vancouver area.

Growing conditions

The South Coast has excellent growing conditions, featuring a cooler, wetter climate and fertile soils. These conditions allow for a broad range of crops and livestock types and are especially suitable for high-value crops that have strong domestic and international markets.

Crops, livestock and food processing

Over 200 commodities are produced commercially in the South Coast, including cranberries, raspberries, blueberries, potatoes, dairy products, poultry and eggs. The region also hosts the majority of the greenhouse businesses in the province.

Local south coast information

Find out more specific information about the South Coast agricultural region:

Regional agrologists

Sea to Sky/Sunshine Coast/Central Fraser Valley - Township of Langley, Maple Ridge, Sunshine Coast Regional District, qathet Regional District, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (except Area B: Lillooet), Howe Sound (Islands Trust)

Conley Keyes
Telephone: 778-752-7457
Email: Conley.Keyes@gov.bc.ca

Fraser Valley Regional District - Municipalities of Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Harrison Hot Springs, Hope, Kent, and Mission and Electoral Areas A (Boston Bar, North Bend, and Canyon Alpine), B (Yale, Choate, Dogwood Valley, Emory Creek, Laidlaw, Othello, Ruby Creek, Spuzzum, and Sunshine Valley), C (Hemlock Valley, Harrison Mills, Lake Errock and Weaver Creek and includes several First Nations including Douglas, Leq'a:mel, Samahquam, Scowlitz, Skatin and Sts'ailes), D (Popkum and Bridal Falls), E (Chilliwack River Valley), F (Durieu, Hatzic Prairie, and McConnell Creek and G (Deroche, Dewdney, Hatzic Island, and Nicomen Island east of Mission).

Kim Sutherland
Telephone: 778-666-0549
Email: Kim.Sutherland@gov.bc.ca

Metro Vancouver Regional District - Delta, Richmond, Surrey, Pitt Meadows, Burnaby, Electoral Area A, Tsawwassen First Nation, City of Vancouver, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, White Rock, Anmore, Belcarra, Lions Bay, Bowen Island Municipality

Drew Bondar
Telephone: 778-666-0584
Email: Drew.Bondar@gov.bc.ca

Resources

The ministry has developed regional guides as a resource for producers, on-the ground researchers, and consultants to reflect on the climate issues challenging environmental sustainability and local farm businesses and food production.

South Coast

The South Coast region is made up of the Fraser Valley Regional District, Metro Vancouver, and the southern portion of the Sunshine Coast and southwestern portion of the Squamish-Lillooet regional districts.

Contact information

AgriService BC

Have a question? Call or email and a staff person will assist you.

Telephone: 1-888-221-7141

Email: AgriServiceBC@gov.bc.ca

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The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

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