Why is only a small part of New Brunswick suitable for farming?

Only about one-fifth of New Brunswick's landmass is suitable for agriculture. This limitation is primarily due to the province's soil composition; the majority of the soils are acidic and low in nutrients. Most of the well-drained soils are classified as podzols or luvisols, and nearly all cultivable land faces moderate to severe limitations that restrict the range of crops that can be grown or necessitate special conservation practices.12

Furthermore, the province's geography is dominated by hilly terrain and extensive forests, which cover the majority of the land. While floodplains possess the richest soils, they represent only a tiny percentage of the total landmass. Consequently, agricultural activity is concentrated in specific areas, such as the lower St. John River valley for truck farming and the upper valley for potato production.231