A comparative analysis of productivity and competitiveness in agri-food processing in Canada and the United States

A Comparative Analysis of Productivity and Competitiveness in Agri-Food Processing in Canada and the United States: An UPDATE Prepared by: Kate Stiefelmeyer November, 2005 A Comparative Analysis of Productivity and Competitiveness in Agri-Food Processing in Canada and the United States: An UPDATE A Comparative Analysis of Productivity and Competitiveness in Agri- Food Processing in Canada and the [...] Much of that structural change was intended to enhance the profitability and competitiveness of the sector relative to other sectors in Canada and the competing industries in other countries, especially the US. [...] It shows that when using a ratio in which both the numerator and denominator must be George Morris Centre 6 A Comparative Analysis of Productivity and Competitiveness in Agri-Food Processing in Canada and the United States: An UPDATE converted by the exchange rate that the ratio remains the same, but that is not the case when the denominator does not change in the value added per employee ratio. [...] The steady growth in labour productivity in Canada since 1999 is likely a result of the major investments that were made in the meat processing industry a few years prior, including a major expansion of Lakeside packers in Brooks Alberta in 1996/97 and the opening of the Maple Leaf pork processing plant in Brandon Manitoba in 1998. [...] Similarly, in value added per dollar spent on wages and salaries, in the early 1990s the ratios in Canada and the United States were relatively close with the United States always greater, however since 1994 the country ratios have moved in the opposite direction with the United States making a great improvement and reaching over $4.00 in 2003.