Heating demand and economic feasibility analysis for year-round vegetable production in Canadian Prairies greenhouses

Abstract

Greenhouse vegetable production in Canadian Prairies is important for creating a sustainable regional food economy, especially in northern communities. This study included the estimation of heating demand for year-round production and evaluation of the economic feasibility of greenhouse vegetable production (tomato, cucumber, and pepper) in a conceptually designed greenhouse (0.6 ha) located in remote northern communities in Saskatchewan, Canada. The heating simulation was based on a greenhouse heating simulation model (GREENHEAT) developed by the authors recently. The simulation results showed that the annual heating requirement for the production of tomato, cucumber, and pepper are 1486 MJ m−2, 1657 MJ m−2, and 1754 MJ m−2, respectively. The economic analysis indicates the net return (NR) from the production of tomato, cucumber, and pepper, are C$69.2/m2 (in Canadian dollar, CAD), C$41.5/m2, and C$43.8/m2, respectively, based on the market price C$3.5/kg, C$2.7/kg, and C$8.0/kg, and yields of 55.0 kg m−2, 65.0 kg m−2, and 23.0 kg m−2. The net present value (NPV) for the tomato, cucumber, and pepper production are C$1.9 M, C$1.2 M, and C$1.1 M, respectively, and the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) are 1.38, 1.21, and 1.21. The economic feasibility analysis indicates the year-round production of vegetables in a greenhouse at remote northern Saskatchewan would be economically profitable.