South Coast - Overview

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:

• Industry contacts
• Local planning
• Soil and nutrients

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.

• Regional Guidebook – Lower Mainland and Sea-to-Sky (PDF, 4.9 MB)