From vast prairie grain belts to the nation's busiest greenhouses, Canada's food industry is a powerhouse of production, processing, and consumption, as revealed by a year of record-breaking harvests, shifting consumer habits, and thriving international trade.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Canadian farms produced 82.3 million metric tons of grains and oilseeds, a 5.2% increase from 2021 driven by favorable weather in the Prairies.
- Dairy production in Canada reached 9.8 billion litres in 2023, with Quebec accounting for 38% of total output under supply management.
- Canada's beef cattle inventory stood at 11.9 million head as of July 1, 2023, down 1.4% from the previous year due to drought impacts.
- In 2022, Canadian food processing establishments numbered 7,800, employing 244,000 workers with sales of $140 billion.
- The meat processing sector generated $28.5 billion in revenues in 2022, accounting for 22% of total food manufacturing.
- Bakery and tortilla manufacturing output reached $12.4 billion in 2023, with 1,200 plants across Canada.
- In 2023, Canadian retail food sales reached $125 billion, with supermarkets capturing 78% market share.
- Grocery store sales grew 7.2% to $102 billion in 2022, driven by inflation and online shifts.
- Convenience stores sold $18.5 billion in food and beverages in 2023, with 25% from prepared foods.
- Household grocery spending averaged $1,450 per capita in 2022, up 8% from 2021.
- 68% of Canadians consumed plant-based alternatives weekly in 2023, up from 55% in 2020.
- Average annual meat consumption per capita was 82 kg in 2022, poultry at 35 kg highest.
- Canada's agri-food exports reached $92.1 billion in 2023, up 6% from 2022.
- United States imported $44.5 billion of Canadian food products in 2023, 48% of total exports.
- Canola oil exports hit $5.8 billion in 2023, to China and U.S. primarily.
Canada's diverse food industry is strong, growing, and export-focused across production, processing, and retail.
Consumption
- Household grocery spending averaged $1,450 per capita in 2022, up 8% from 2021.
- 68% of Canadians consumed plant-based alternatives weekly in 2023, up from 55% in 2020.
- Average annual meat consumption per capita was 82 kg in 2022, poultry at 35 kg highest.
- Dairy consumption averaged 220 litres per capita in 2023, cheese leading at 18.5 kg.
- Fruit and vegetable intake averaged 5.2 servings daily per person in 2022, below WHO's 7.
- Soft drink consumption was 110 litres per capita in 2023, declining 2% YoY.
- 52% of Canadians followed a specific diet in 2023, keto and vegan top at 15% each.
- Bread consumption per capita was 25 kg annually in 2022, white bread 45% share.
- Seafood consumption averaged 23.5 kg per capita in 2023, salmon at 8 kg highest.
- Snack consumption frequency was 3.2 times daily in 2022, 40% savory preferences.
- 37% of Canadians reduced sugar intake in 2023, driving low-sugar product sales up 11%.
- Per capita spending on organic foods was $245 in 2022, urban areas 30% higher.
- Home meal replacement consumption grew 14% to 45 meals per household yearly in 2023.
- 61% of consumers prioritized local foods in 2022, boosting farm-to-table purchases.
- Alcohol consumption averaged 8.1 litres pure alcohol per capita in 2023, beer 50%.
- Functional beverage intake rose 18% in 2023, energy drinks at 25 litres per capita.
Consumption Interpretation
While Canadians are clearly trying to eat their vegetables and cut sugar, our collective diet remains a tug-of-war between the aspirational kale salad and the undeniable allure of cheese, chicken, and snacks that has grocery bills climbing.
Processing
- In 2022, Canadian food processing establishments numbered 7,800, employing 244,000 workers with sales of $140 billion.
- The meat processing sector generated $28.5 billion in revenues in 2022, accounting for 22% of total food manufacturing.
- Bakery and tortilla manufacturing output reached $12.4 billion in 2023, with 1,200 plants across Canada.
- Dairy product manufacturing sales hit $18.2 billion in 2022, dominated by fluid milk and cheese processing.
- Fruit and vegetable preserving industry produced 2.1 million tonnes in 2022, with frozen products at 55%.
- Seafood processing plants processed 1.2 million tonnes in 2023, generating $3.8 billion in exports.
- Sugar and confectionery manufacturing revenues were $9.6 billion in 2022, led by chocolate products.
- Beverage manufacturing, including soft drinks, totaled $15.1 billion in sales in 2023.
- Snack food manufacturing grew 4.2% to $7.3 billion in 2022, with potato chips dominant.
- Flour milling output was 3.5 million tonnes in 2022, supplying 80% of domestic wheat flour needs.
- In 2023, 65% of Canadian food processors adopted automation, boosting productivity by 12% on average.
- Vegetable and melon processing facilities numbered 450 in 2022, canning 450,000 tonnes annually.
- Poultry processing throughput reached 1.5 million tonnes in 2023, with integrated operations leading.
- Juice and beverage concentrate production was 1.2 million hectolitres in 2022.
- Cheese production totaled 550,000 tonnes in 2023, with specialty cheeses up 8%.
- Ready-to-eat food manufacturing sales hit $10.2 billion in 2022, growing 6.5% YoY.
- Edible oil refining capacity was 4.5 million tonnes in 2023, processing 95% canola-based.
- Frozen food production volume reached 2.8 million tonnes in 2022, led by vegetables and meals.
Processing Interpretation
Canada’s food industry, employing a quarter-million people, is a sprawling, $140 billion culinary juggernaut that’s equal parts carnivore (thanks to its massive meat sector) and tech-savvy bean counter, all while keeping the nation reliably fueled with everything from milled wheat to frozen peas and an ever-growing mountain of potato chips.
Production
- In 2022, Canadian farms produced 82.3 million metric tons of grains and oilseeds, a 5.2% increase from 2021 driven by favorable weather in the Prairies.
- Dairy production in Canada reached 9.8 billion litres in 2023, with Quebec accounting for 38% of total output under supply management.
- Canada's beef cattle inventory stood at 11.9 million head as of July 1, 2023, down 1.4% from the previous year due to drought impacts.
- Greenhouse vegetable production hit 1.1 million tonnes in 2022, led by tomatoes at 580,000 tonnes primarily from Ontario.
- Apple production in Canada totaled 62,000 tonnes in 2022, with British Columbia contributing 55% of the national yield.
- Canada's pork production reached 1.46 million tonnes in 2023, up 2.1% year-over-year with Ontario as the top province.
- Potato production across Canada was 6.4 million tonnes in 2022, with Prince Edward Island producing 25% of the total.
- Maple syrup production amounted to 13.7 million litres in 2023, a record high primarily from Quebec's 92% share.
- Canada's canola production surged to 19.3 million tonnes in 2022, making it the world's second-largest producer after China.
- Greenhouse cucumber production reached 240,000 tonnes in 2022, with Leamington, Ontario, as the key hub supplying 70%.
- In 2023, Canadian farms harvested 34.2 million tonnes of corn for grain, up 12% from 2022 due to expanded acreage.
- Strawberry production totaled 55,000 tonnes in 2022, concentrated in Quebec and British Columbia with field and greenhouse combined.
- Canada's barley production was 10.1 million tonnes in 2022, vital for malt and feed with Alberta leading at 45%.
- Soybean output hit 6.8 million tonnes in 2023, a 15% rise with Ontario producing 60% of the national total.
- Wild blueberry production reached 45,000 tonnes in 2022, mostly from Nova Scotia and Quebec wild harvests.
- Oat production in Canada was 3.2 million tonnes in 2022, supporting the domestic feed and export markets.
- Greenhouse bell pepper production totaled 180,000 tonnes in 2022, driven by year-round facilities in Ontario.
- Lamb and mutton production was 14,500 tonnes in 2023, with small-scale operations across provinces.
- Cranberry production amounted to 12,000 tonnes in 2022, led by British Columbia's 70% share.
- Sunflower seed production reached 1.5 million tonnes in 2022, mainly for oil in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Production Interpretation
Canada's agricultural output reads like a carefully balanced recipe: the Prairies are baking a massive grain and oilseed surplus under sunny skies, Quebec is diligently measuring out nearly all the maple syrup and much of the milk, Ontario is running the year-round greenhouse and pork operations, and everyone else is specializing in everything from Prince Edward Island potatoes to Nova Scotia blueberries, all while collectively keeping an eye on the weather and the cattle count.
Retail
- In 2023, Canadian retail food sales reached $125 billion, with supermarkets capturing 78% market share.
- Grocery store sales grew 7.2% to $102 billion in 2022, driven by inflation and online shifts.
- Convenience stores sold $18.5 billion in food and beverages in 2023, with 25% from prepared foods.
- Online grocery sales hit $6.8 billion in 2023, representing 5.4% of total food retail.
- There were 18,500 grocery and supermarket outlets in Canada in 2022, down 1.2% from 2021.
- Food service sales in retail reached $22 billion in 2023, including takeout and delivery.
- Private label food products accounted for 22% of grocery sales in 2022, up from 19% in 2020.
- Organic food retail sales totaled $9.2 billion in 2023, growing 12% annually.
- Fresh produce sales in supermarkets were $15.4 billion in 2022, with bananas top at $1.1B.
- Meat department sales reached $14.7 billion in 2023, with chicken overtaking beef at 42% share.
- Dairy case sales hit $12.8 billion in 2022, fluid milk down 3% but yogurt up 5%.
- Baked goods retail volume was 2.1 million tonnes in 2023, bread at 60% of category.
- Snack aisle sales grew to $8.9 billion in 2022, chips and extruded snacks leading.
- Beverage retail sales totaled $28.5 billion in 2023, non-alcoholic at 65% share.
- Health and wellness food products sales reached $11.3 billion in 2022, 9% market growth.
- In 2023, 42% of retail food waste was diverted from landfills via donations and composting.
- E-commerce penetration in food retail was 6.2% in 2023, with 15 million users monthly.
Retail Interpretation
While inflation and shifting habits keep us clicking for convenience and reaching for private labels, the heart of the Canadian grocery cart reveals a nation still devoted to its bananas, chicken, and snacks, all while quietly making more room for organics and a bit less for waste.
Trade
- Canada's agri-food exports reached $92.1 billion in 2023, up 6% from 2022.
- United States imported $44.5 billion of Canadian food products in 2023, 48% of total exports.
- Canola oil exports hit $5.8 billion in 2023, to China and U.S. primarily.
- Pork exports totaled $4.9 billion in 2023, with Asia taking 55% volume.
- Wheat exports reached 25.6 million tonnes valued at $9.2 billion in 2023.
- Seafood exports were $9.1 billion in 2023, lobster to China at $3.2B.
- Pulse exports (peas, lentils) hit $4.5 billion in 2023, India top market.
- Maple syrup exports amounted to $650 million in 2023, U.S. 75% share.
- Beef exports reached $5.7 billion in 2023, U.S. and Japan key destinations.
- Processed fruit exports totaled $2.8 billion in 2023, berries to Europe growing.
- Dairy exports surged to $1.9 billion in 2023, cheese to U.S. at $900M.
- Agri-food imports into Canada were $68.4 billion in 2023, fruits 25% share.
- U.S. supplied 62% of Canada's food imports at $42.3 billion in 2023.
- Processed food imports hit $22.1 billion in 2023, snacks from U.S. dominant.
- Tropical fruit imports totaled 1.8 million tonnes in 2023, bananas 70%.
- Wine imports reached $1.2 billion in 2023, France and Italy top suppliers.
- Vegetable oil imports were 1.1 million tonnes in 2023, palm oil 40%.
- Food trade surplus with U.S. was $12.6 billion in 2023 for Canada.
- EU-Canada trade deal boosted agri-food exports by 15% to $3.4B in 2023.
- Potato exports reached 1.2 million tonnes valued at $550 million in 2023.
Trade Interpretation
Canada has successfully leveraged its land and policy deals to feed the world's most discerning palates, exporting a pantry from prairie wheat to Atlantic lobster, while still leaving room on its own plate for bananas, wine, and the occasional American snack.
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