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
Trade & Exports
1$1.4 trillion in annual global food sales in 2024 (Canada is a major exporter to these markets)[1]
Verified
2In 2023, Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing exports were C$29.7 billion (goods trade; Statistics Canada)[2]
Verified
3C$4.1B annual Canadian imports of cocoa products in 2023 (HS-coded import value; “cocoa and cocoa preparations” subset).[3]
Verified
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.
Market Size
1The retail food and beverage market in Canada was valued at approximately C$153 billion in 2023[4]
Verified
2In 2023, the Canadian foodservices industry had total sales of C$84.1 billion[5]
Single source
3In 2023, Canada’s grocery stores reported approximately C$122.8 billion in sales[6]
Verified
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.
More related reading
Consumer Demand
118.2% of Canadians reported skipping meals or reducing portion sizes due to cost in 2023[7]
Verified
2In 2023, 9.3% of Canadians were undernourished (prevalence estimate)[8]
Directional
3Canada’s per-capita food consumption was 3,500 kg per year (FAO food balance sheet-derived indicator)[9]
Verified
4Canada’s food loss and waste in the supply chain was 13% of available food (FAO estimate)[10]
Verified
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.
Pricing & Inflation
1In 2023, the average retail price of chicken increased by 5.7% (year over year)[11]
Verified
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.
More related reading
Regulation & Health
1Canada reported 4,322 confirmed cases of salmonellosis in 2023 (public surveillance)[12]
Single source
2Canada reported 1,462 confirmed cases of listeriosis in 2023 (public surveillance)[13]
Verified
3Canada reported 4,900 cases of E. coli (STEC) in 2023 (public surveillance)[14]
Verified
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.
Operations & Labor
1Canada’s food manufacturing employment was 328,000 people in 2023 (Labour Force Survey industry series)[15]
Verified
2Canada’s food manufacturing average hourly wage was C$23.60 in 2023 (industry wage series)[16]
Verified
3In 2022, food manufacturing in Canada had 21.5% of firms using industrial automation/robotics (survey-based)[17]
Directional
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.
Industry Trends
1In 2023, Canada produced 22.6 million hectolitres of beer (Statistics Canada beverage production)[18]
Verified
2In 2023, Canada produced 1.3 million hectolitres of wine (Statistics Canada)[19]
Directional
3In 2023, Canada produced 9.8 billion litres of soft drinks (Statistics Canada production table)[20]
Verified
4In 2023, Canada’s sugar production was 1.7 million tonnes (Statistics Canada)[21]
Verified
5In 2023, Canada’s wheat production was 39.9 million tonnes (Statistics Canada)[22]
Verified
6In 2023, Canada’s canola production was 19.0 million tonnes (Statistics Canada)[23]
Verified
7In 2023, Canada’s beef production was 2.4 million tonnes (carcass weight basis; Statistics Canada)[24]
Single source
8In 2023, Canada’s poultry production was 1.0 million tonnes (Statistics Canada)[25]
Verified
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.
More related reading
Inflation & Prices
110.1% year-over-year increase in the food purchased for consumption (food CPI basket) in Canada for 2023 (annual average change).[26]
Verified
2Canada’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food purchased from stores rose 6.3% in 2023 (annual change).[27]
Verified
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.
Household Economics
124.0% of Canadian households reported using government benefits to buy food at least sometimes in 2023 (share reporting benefit use for food-related purchases).[28]
Single source
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.
More related reading
Customer & Consumer Trends
144% of Canadian consumers prefer stores offering “locally sourced” products (survey-based preference share).[29]
Verified
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.
Operations & Productivity
1C$1.7B value of food safety-related regulatory and compliance activities in Canada in 2022 (regulatory burden estimate).[30]
Verified
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.
How We Rate Confidence
Models
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Single source
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Directional
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
Verified
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Models
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.
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- 17statcan.gc.ca/en/microsimulation/industry-technology-survey/2022-report
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- 29nielsen.com/ca/en/insights/consumer-trends/local-food/
- 30oecd.org/food-safety/