Farm Product Prices Survey (FPPS)

Detailed information for January 2026

The purpose of the prices series is to collect accurate, up-to-date information on farm product prices received by farmers for agricultural commodities produced and sold.

• Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s)
• Description
• Data sources and methodology

Description

The series produces provincial data on average prices received by farmers for agricultural products produced and sold. The primary purpose is to provide the pricing component of the Farm Cash Receipts series (record number 3437), which values the agriculture sectors' contribution to the Canadian economy. The prices are also used to calculate the Farm Product Price Index series (record number 5040). Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and other federal departments use the data to develop, administer and evaluate agricultural policies and programs. Provincial departments and agencies use the prices for production and price analysis to support provincial stabilization programs. A wide variety of groups and individuals also make use of the data for economic research.

Reference period: Monthly

Collection period: One month period following reference month.

Subjects

• Agriculture and food (formerly Agriculture)
• Agriculture price indexes
• Farm financial statistics
• Prices and price indexes

Data sources and methodology

Target population

The universe includes all Canadian agriculture operations as defined by the Census of Agriculture, as well as all marketing boards, agencies, commissions and federal and provincial government departments that collect data on producer prices or data from which prices can be calculated.

Instrument design

Administrative data is used for most of the commodity price data, however there are three questionnaires used in the collection of some of the commodity price data for the price series.

Sampling

This is a sample survey with a cross-sectional design.

The sample for the Hay and Straw Survey in Ontario, is selected from the Business Register.

The sample for the Grains and Specialty Crops Prices Survey, is selected from the Business Register - companies which purchase these crops.

Provinces and commodities currently surveyed include:
Ontario - The Ontario Hay and Straw Prices Survey (sample of 125) collects bi-annual data of tame hay and straw prices.

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta - The Grains and Specialty Crops Prices Survey (sample 51 per month) collects administrative data monthly from companies which purchase these crops.

Data sources

Responding to this survey is mandatory.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents and extracted from administrative files. Where possible, administrative data sources are used in order to reduce response burden. The administrative data come from a variety of sources including: the Grain Farmers of Ontario, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, CANFAX, the Canadian Dairy Commission, the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency as well as numerous auction markets.

Data for the Ontario Hay and Straw Prices Survey are collected by electronic questionnaire.

Data on the Grain and Specialty Crops Prices Survey are collected by electronic questionnaire. Prices are estimated on a monthly basis.

View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s) .