Food in Canada sits at a crossroads of scale and strain, from $1.4 trillion in annual global food sales in 2024 to Canadians reporting rising costs at the checkout. Behind the totals, the retail market and foodservices industry are growing alongside everyday pressures like a 6.3% jump in the price of food bought from stores in 2023 and cost related meal skipping. We also track what is happening upstream, including production volumes, food safety cases, and how much food never makes it to a plate.
Key Takeaways
- $1.4 trillion in annual global food sales in 2024 (Canada is a major exporter to these markets)
- In 2023, Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing exports were C$29.7 billion (goods trade; Statistics Canada)
- C$4.1B annual Canadian imports of cocoa products in 2023 (HS-coded import value; “cocoa and cocoa preparations” subset).
- The retail food and beverage market in Canada was valued at approximately C$153 billion in 2023
- In 2023, the Canadian foodservices industry had total sales of C$84.1 billion
- In 2023, Canada’s grocery stores reported approximately C$122.8 billion in sales
- 18.2% of Canadians reported skipping meals or reducing portion sizes due to cost in 2023
- In 2023, 9.3% of Canadians were undernourished (prevalence estimate)
- Canada’s per-capita food consumption was 3,500 kg per year (FAO food balance sheet-derived indicator)
- In 2023, the average retail price of chicken increased by 5.7% (year over year)
- Canada reported 4,322 confirmed cases of salmonellosis in 2023 (public surveillance)
- Canada reported 1,462 confirmed cases of listeriosis in 2023 (public surveillance)
- Canada reported 4,900 cases of E. coli (STEC) in 2023 (public surveillance)
- Canada’s food manufacturing employment was 328,000 people in 2023 (Labour Force Survey industry series)
- Canada’s food manufacturing average hourly wage was C$23.60 in 2023 (industry wage series)
Canadian food sales and exports surged in 2023 and 2024, even as prices rose and health risks persisted.
Related reading
01 · Category
Trade & Exports3 stats
01
$1.4 trillion in annual global food sales in 2024 (Canada is a major exporter to these markets)
02
In 2023, Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing exports were C$29.7 billion (goods trade; Statistics Canada)
03
C$4.1B annual Canadian imports of cocoa products in 2023 (HS-coded import value; “cocoa and cocoa preparations” subset).
Interpretation
Trade & Exports Interpretation
In the Trade and Exports slice of Canada’s food industry, exports reached C$29.7 billion in 2023 for food and beverage manufacturing while imports totaled C$4.1 billion for cocoa products in the same year, underscoring Canada’s strong outward sales alongside continued demand for key inputs.
02 · Category
Market Size3 stats
01
The retail food and beverage market in Canada was valued at approximately C$153 billion in 2023
02
In 2023, the Canadian foodservices industry had total sales of C$84.1 billion
03
In 2023, Canada’s grocery stores reported approximately C$122.8 billion in sales
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
Canada’s market size in food and beverage is substantial and rising in 2023, with retail at about C$153 billion, grocery stores at C$122.8 billion, and foodservice sales reaching C$84.1 billion.
03 · Category
Consumer Demand4 stats
01
18.2% of Canadians reported skipping meals or reducing portion sizes due to cost in 2023
02
In 2023, 9.3% of Canadians were undernourished (prevalence estimate)
03
Canada’s per-capita food consumption was 3,500 kg per year (FAO food balance sheet-derived indicator)
04
Canada’s food loss and waste in the supply chain was 13% of available food (FAO estimate)
Interpretation
Consumer Demand Interpretation
In the Consumer Demand picture, 18.2% of Canadians reported skipping meals or cutting portion sizes due to cost in 2023, and with 9.3% estimated to be undernourished, the data shows real affordability pressures are still shaping food intake.
04 · Category
Pricing & Inflation1 stats
01
In 2023, the average retail price of chicken increased by 5.7% (year over year)
Interpretation
Pricing & Inflation Interpretation
In 2023, chicken retail prices in Canada rose by 5.7% year over year, underscoring ongoing upward pressure on food costs within the Pricing and Inflation landscape.
05 · Category
Regulation & Health3 stats
01
Canada reported 4,322 confirmed cases of salmonellosis in 2023 (public surveillance)
02
Canada reported 1,462 confirmed cases of listeriosis in 2023 (public surveillance)
03
Canada reported 4,900 cases of E. coli (STEC) in 2023 (public surveillance)
Interpretation
Regulation & Health Interpretation
In Canada’s public surveillance in 2023, foodborne illness signals a clear regulatory and public health priority with 4,322 confirmed salmonellosis cases and 4,900 reported E. coli (STEC) cases alongside 1,462 listeriosis cases.
06 · Category
Operations & Labor3 stats
01
Canada’s food manufacturing employment was 328,000 people in 2023 (Labour Force Survey industry series)
02
Canada’s food manufacturing average hourly wage was C$23.60in 2023 (industry wage series)
03
In 2022, food manufacturing in Canada had 21.5% of firms using industrial automation/robotics (survey-based)
Interpretation
Operations & Labor Interpretation
In Canada’s food manufacturing, 328,000 workers in 2023 earned an average hourly wage of C$23.60, while in 2022 21.5% of firms had already adopted industrial automation or robotics, signaling a growing push to reshape operations and labor around productivity.
More related reading
07 · Category
Industry Trends8 stats
01
In 2023, Canada produced 22.6 million hectolitres of beer (Statistics Canada beverage production)
02
In 2023, Canada produced 1.3 million hectolitres of wine (Statistics Canada)
03
In 2023, Canada produced 9.8 billion litres of soft drinks (Statistics Canada production table)
04
In 2023, Canada’s sugar production was 1.7 million tonnes (Statistics Canada)
05
In 2023, Canada’s wheat production was 39.9 million tonnes (Statistics Canada)
06
In 2023, Canada’s canola production was 19.0 million tonnes (Statistics Canada)
07
In 2023, Canada’s beef production was 2.4 million tonnes (carcass weight basis; Statistics Canada)
08
In 2023, Canada’s poultry production was 1.0 million tonnes (Statistics Canada)
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
In 2023, Canada’s food and beverage industry showed a clear scale imbalance with high-output staples and beverages, including 39.9 million tonnes of wheat, 19.0 million tonnes of canola, and 2.4 million tonnes of beef alongside 9.8 billion litres of soft drinks and 22.6 million hectolitres of beer.
08 · Category
Inflation & Prices2 stats
01
10.1% year-over-year increase in the food purchased for consumption (food CPI basket) in Canada for 2023 (annual average change).
02
Canada’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food purchased from stores rose 6.3% in 2023 (annual change).
Interpretation
Inflation & Prices Interpretation
In Canada’s Inflation and Prices landscape, food purchased for consumption jumped 10.1% year over year in 2023, and store-bought food CPI rose 6.3%, showing that higher food costs were widespread across both overall consumption and retail purchases.
09 · Category
Household Economics1 stats
01
24.0% of Canadian households reported using government benefits to buy food at least sometimes in 2023 (share reporting benefit use for food-related purchases).
Interpretation
Household Economics Interpretation
In 2023, 24.0% of Canadian households said they use government benefits to buy food at least sometimes, underscoring how household food purchasing is closely tied to economic support under the Household Economics lens.
10 · Category
Customer & Consumer Trends1 stats
01
44% of Canadian consumers prefer stores offering “locally sourced” products (survey-based preference share).
Interpretation
Customer & Consumer Trends Interpretation
Canadian consumers show a clear customer and consumer trend toward local sourcing, with 44% preferring stores that offer “locally sourced” products.
11 · Category
Operations & Productivity1 stats
01
C$1.7B value of food safety-related regulatory and compliance activities in Canada in 2022 (regulatory burden estimate).
Interpretation
Operations & Productivity Interpretation
In 2022, Canada’s food industry spent an estimated C$1.7B on food safety regulatory and compliance activities, showing how operations and productivity are heavily shaped by the real cost of meeting compliance requirements.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Margot Villeneuve. (2026, February 13). Canada Food Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/canada-food-industry-statistics
MLA
Margot Villeneuve. "Canada Food Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/canada-food-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Margot Villeneuve. 2026. "Canada Food Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/canada-food-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
30 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+20 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)