Planetary Harvest GB-30: A Breakdown

Written By Chuck Smith

According to a study by Global News, the average Canadian family of four spends approximately $300 per month on produce. Each unit of produce or vegetable (UOV), such as a broccoli head or lettuce head, averages about 350 grams and costs roughly $4.00 CAD. This suggests that a family consumes around 75 UOVs per year, with each household member consuming approximately 0.60 UOV per day.

If each person requires 225 UOVs per year, one GB-30 unit, which produces 61,440 UOVs annually, can sustainably feed 300 people per year, equivalent to over 21,600 kg of produce.

Projected Annual Income

Each GB-30 has the capacity to grow 61,440 UOVs of all varieties, averaging 4 crops per year. Assuming an average produce unit sells for $4.00, the annual income from sales is approximately $245,760.00.

Projected Annual Expenses

  • Energy consumption: $40,350.00.

  • Labour (Planting, harvesting, cleaning, packaging): $112,750.00

  • Capitalization Costs (GB-30 cost + shipping + site prep): $38,400.00

  • Overhead Costs: $36,000.00.

Total Annual Expenses: $227,500.00

Annual profit projection: 8.9%

Note: PH economics calculated based on market rates in Calgary. Savings are expected to increase over time as projects proliferate throughout the North and subsidies are applied.

Local Year-round Indoor Farming vs. Shipping

To break even, farmers need to sell every kilogram of produce for $10.53/kg, approximately 17% higher than wholesale vegetables in Calgary at $8.80/kg.

Shipping rates from central distribution hubs like Montreal or Ottawa to remote areas vary widely but add to the overall cost per kilogram of produce:

  • Ottawa to Iqaluit: Assuming produce price of $8.80/kg + shipping of $5.99/kg = $14.79/kg vs. $10.53/kg = 40% increase to the vendor.

  • Ottawa to Arctic Bay: Assuming produce price of $8.80/kg + shipping of $12.91/kg = $21.71/kg vs. $10.53/kg = 106% increase to the vendor.

Transferring subsidies for shipping to future farmers for energy, labour, capital, and overhead costs would exponentially reduce government expenditures compared to the current multimillion-dollar spending.

Planetary Harvest is a catalyst for education and Canadian innovation, first supporting a healthier and prosperous Canadian North of 50 communities, and ultimately, inspiring global change.

Chuck Smith