Explore & Community
The Island of Lobster and Red Soil: Inside PEI's Farming and Fishing Economy
A quarter of Canada's potatoes and 15 percent of its lobster catch come from one small province. Here is the economic story behind PEI's red fields and working harbours.
1. Where the Red Comes From
PEI's red soil is its most distinctive visual signature, caused by iron oxide in the ground that rusts on exposure to air. That soil built the Island's largest industry: potatoes.
2. The Potato Numbers
| Use | Share of PEI's Potato Crop |
|---|---|
| Processed (fries, chips, and similar products) | About 60% |
| Fresh market | About 30% |
| Seed potatoes, exported to 20+ countries | About 10% |
PEI produces 25% of all potatoes grown in Canada, more than any other province.
3. What's Happening Offshore
The fishery tells an equally striking story. In 2024, PEI's lobster landings were worth $358.4 million CAD, accounting for 15% of Canada's total lobster production. Mussel production accounts for 80% of the entire national supply. Fishing and aquaculture rank as the province's third-largest economic driver, behind agriculture and tourism.
4. Boat to Table Is Literal
For Islanders, "boat to table" isn't a marketing line. Many small-town lobster dinners are served using the catch unloaded from the harbour that same morning, a supply chain measured in hours, not days.