From the golden rivers of maple syrup that make it the world’s sweetest powerhouse, to the vast dairy herds and greenhouses that feed the nation, Quebec's food industry is a colossal economic engine, a fact powerfully illustrated by its staggering production statistics, massive employment footprint, multi-billion dollar exports, and pioneering green innovations.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Quebec's agricultural sector produced 12.5 million tonnes of crops, representing 25% of Canada's total crop production
- Quebec dairy farms produced 3.28 billion litres of milk in 2023, accounting for 39% of national production
- In 2021, Quebec maple syrup production reached 14.9 million gallons, 72% of Canada's output
- Quebec employed 68,000 people in food manufacturing in 2023, 12% of Canada's total
- Agricultural employment in Quebec averaged 45,200 jobs in 2022, down 2% from prior year
- Food processing sector in Quebec had 32,500 full-time jobs in 2023
- Quebec food exports totaled CAD 12.5 billion in 2023, 15% of Canada's agri-food exports
- Pork exports from Quebec reached CAD 3.8 billion in 2022 to 70 countries
- Maple syrup exports hit CAD 550 million in 2023, 90% of production exported
- Quebec food industry contributed CAD 28 billion to GDP in 2022, 7% of provincial GDP
- Agri-food sector generated CAD 15.5 billion in farm cash receipts in 2023
- Food manufacturing added CAD 12.8 billion to Quebec GDP in 2022
- In 2023, Quebec invested CAD 120 million in food innovation hubs
- 45% of Quebec farms adopted precision agriculture tech by 2022
- Quebec food industry R&D intensity 1.8% of sales in 2023, above national average
Quebec's food industry is a major economic driver producing diverse crops and exports.
Economic Contribution Statistics
- Quebec food industry contributed CAD 28 billion to GDP in 2022, 7% of provincial GDP
- Agri-food sector generated CAD 15.5 billion in farm cash receipts in 2023
- Food manufacturing added CAD 12.8 billion to Quebec GDP in 2022
- In 2023, Quebec dairy industry economic impact was CAD 7.2 billion including multipliers
- Pork sector contributed CAD 4.5 billion to Quebec economy in 2022
- Maple industry generated CAD 1.2 billion in economic activity in 2023
- Quebec food processing investments totaled CAD 850 million in 2022
- Retail food sales in Quebec reached CAD 45 billion in 2023
- In 2022, Quebec agri-food supported 300,000 indirect jobs worth CAD 18 billion wages
- Greenhouse sector economic output CAD 2.1 billion in 2023 Quebec
- Berry industry contributed CAD 1.8 billion to GDP in 2022
- Quebec tourism related to food generated CAD 3.5 billion in 2023
- In 2022, organic sector economic value CAD 1.5 billion in Quebec
- Food R&D spending in Quebec was CAD 450 million in 2023
- Quebec pork processing economic multiplier effect 2.8x direct output in 2022
- Seafood industry contributed CAD 2.2 billion to Quebec GDP in 2023
- In 2022, Quebec craft beverage sector CAD 1.1 billion economic impact
- Bakery industry sales CAD 5.8 billion in Quebec 2023
- Quebec farm gate value for horticulture CAD 2.9 billion in 2022
- Food wholesaling turnover CAD 32 billion in Quebec 2023
- In 2022, Quebec cheese production value CAD 2.4 billion
- Agritourism revenue CAD 650 million in Quebec 2023
- Quebec potato industry economic output CAD 1.3 billion in 2022
- In 2023, ginseng sector CAD 250 million value chain in Quebec
- Food service industry CAD 22 billion sales in Quebec 2022
- Quebec wine and cider industry CAD 450 million in 2023
- Overall agri-food tax revenues CAD 3.1 billion to Quebec gov in 2022
Economic Contribution Statistics Interpretation
Quebec's economy is basically a well-stocked pantry, where the humble dairy cow and maple tree quietly write multi-billion-dollar cheques while the rest of us are just trying to decide what's for dinner.
Employment Statistics
- Quebec employed 68,000 people in food manufacturing in 2023, 12% of Canada's total
- Agricultural employment in Quebec averaged 45,200 jobs in 2022, down 2% from prior year
- Food processing sector in Quebec had 32,500 full-time jobs in 2023
- In 2022, Quebec dairy industry supported 25,000 direct jobs across farms and processing
- Pork sector in Quebec employed 18,000 workers in 2023, including slaughter and processing
- Quebec maple syrup industry created 12,500 seasonal jobs in 2022 tapping season
- Food retail and distribution in Quebec had 150,000 employees in 2023
- In 2022, Quebec greenhouse operations employed 8,200 workers year-round
- Berry harvesting in Quebec required 15,000 migrant workers in 2023 season
- Quebec food R&D sector employed 4,500 scientists and technicians in 2022
- Bakery and confectionery manufacturing in Quebec had 9,800 jobs in 2023
- In 2022, Quebec meat processing plants employed 22,000 full-time equivalents
- Beverage manufacturing, including craft beer, employed 7,200 in Quebec 2023
- Quebec seafood processing industry had 5,500 jobs in 2022 coastal regions
- Organic farming in Quebec supported 6,800 jobs in 2023, up 10% YoY
- Food wholesaling in Quebec employed 28,000 in 2022
- In 2023, Quebec agritourism generated 4,200 seasonal jobs on farms
- Dairy processing plants in Quebec had 12,000 employees in 2022
- Quebec fruit and vegetable processing employed 10,500 in 2023
- Grain milling industry in Quebec supported 3,200 jobs in 2022
- In 2023, Quebec catering and institutional food services employed 95,000
- Poultry processing in Quebec had 8,900 jobs in 2022
- Quebec food quality control inspectors numbered 2,500 in 2023 across industry
- Craft food producers in Quebec employed 7,800 artisans in 2022
- Logistics and transport for food in Quebec had 35,000 jobs in 2023
- In 2022, Quebec veterinary services for livestock employed 1,800 professionals
- Food engineering and machinery sector employed 4,200 in Quebec 2023
Employment Statistics Interpretation
Quebec's food industry, from the seasonal surge of syrup tappers to the year-round hum of dairy processors, is a sprawling, complex beast that employs a staggering army of over half a million souls—give or take a few thousand migrant berry pickers—proving that feeding a province is a mammoth, multi-faceted operation that runs on everything from scientific precision to sheer culinary passion.
Export and Trade Statistics
- Quebec food exports totaled CAD 12.5 billion in 2023, 15% of Canada's agri-food exports
- Pork exports from Quebec reached CAD 3.8 billion in 2022 to 70 countries
- Maple syrup exports hit CAD 550 million in 2023, 90% of production exported
- Dairy product exports from Quebec were CAD 1.2 billion in 2022, mainly to USA
- Quebec blueberry exports totaled 45,000 tonnes worth CAD 250 million in 2023
- In 2022, Quebec processed food exports grew 5% to CAD 8.7 billion
- Pork exports to Asia from Quebec were CAD 1.5 billion in 2023, 40% of total pork exports
- Quebec cheese exports reached CAD 450 million in 2022 to EU markets
- Cranberry exports from Quebec hit CAD 120 million in 2023, mainly USA
- In 2022, Quebec seafood exports totaled CAD 850 million, led by snow crab
- Maple products beyond syrup exported CAD 100 million in 2023
- Quebec ginseng exports were 95% of production, CAD 180 million in 2022
- Processed vegetable exports from Quebec reached CAD 300 million in 2023
- In 2022, Quebec ice cider exports grew 12% to CAD 25 million
- Poultry meat exports from Quebec totaled CAD 450 million in 2023 to Middle East
- Quebec craft beer exports hit CAD 50 million in 2022 to USA and Europe
- Apple juice concentrate exports CAD 80 million in 2023 from Quebec
- In 2022, Quebec baked goods exports were CAD 200 million, mainly pastries
- Organic product exports from Quebec reached CAD 350 million in 2023
- Quebec potato exports totaled 150,000 tonnes CAD 120 million in 2022
- Wine exports from Quebec vineyards CAD 15 million in 2023
- In 2022, Quebec honey exports were CAD 40 million to 30 countries
- Processed pork products exports CAD 2.1 billion in 2023 from Quebec
- Quebec foie gras exports hit CAD 60 million in 2022, mainly France
- In 2023, Quebec snack food exports grew to CAD 180 million
- Seafood processing exports CAD 950 million in 2022, 60% to USA
- Quebec agri-food trade surplus was CAD 4.2 billion in 2023
Export and Trade Statistics Interpretation
While Quebec may be known for its quiet winters and poutine politics, its real global influence is wielded through a delicious arsenal of pork, syrup, and cheese, racking up a multi-billion dollar trade surplus one meticulously crafted product at a time.
Innovation and Sustainability Statistics
- In 2023, Quebec invested CAD 120 million in food innovation hubs
- 45% of Quebec farms adopted precision agriculture tech by 2022
- Quebec food industry R&D intensity 1.8% of sales in 2023, above national average
- Organic farmland in Quebec reached 850,000 hectares in 2023, 8.5% of total
- 72 Quebec companies received CAD 50 million in green food grants 2022
- Food waste reduction initiatives saved 150,000 tonnes in Quebec 2023
- 35% of Quebec dairy farms use methane capture tech in 2022
- Quebec launched 120 new plant-based products in 2023, up 25%
- Water usage efficiency improved 22% in Quebec greenhouses since 2018 to 2023
- 60% of Quebec pork producers certified carbon neutral by 2025 goal in 2022
- AI adoption in Quebec food supply chain reached 28% of firms in 2023
- Renewable energy use in food processing 42% of total in Quebec 2022
- Quebec berry farms reduced pesticides 35% via IPM in 2023
- 150 blockchain pilots for traceability in Quebec food chain 2022
- Compost production from food waste hit 200,000 tonnes in Quebec 2023
- Quebec invested CAD 80 million in vertical farming startups 2022
- 55% reduction in packaging plastic targeted by 2030, 25% achieved 2023
- Lab-grown meat R&D funded CAD 15 million in Quebec universities 2022
- Energy efficiency retrofits saved CAD 45 million in food plants 2023
- Quebec maple taps using tubing systems 98% coverage in 2022
- Biodiversity projects on 500 Quebec farms in 2023 enhanced habitats
- Digital twin tech piloted in 20 Quebec dairies for herd management 2022
- Solar power installations on farms reached 1,200 MW in Quebec 2023
- Insect protein production scaled to 5,000 tonnes annually in 2022 Quebec
- GHG emissions from Quebec agri-food down 12% since 2015 to 2023
- 75 new biotech food patents filed by Quebec firms in 2022
- Water recycling rate in Quebec food processing 65% in 2023
Innovation and Sustainability Statistics Interpretation
Quebec’s food industry is shrewdly future-proofing its poutine with the methodical zeal of a chess grandmaster, investing heavily in everything from AI to methane capture while still managing to expand its organic farmland and slash waste, all to ensure its culinary legacy is both green and profitable.
Production Statistics
- In 2022, Quebec's agricultural sector produced 12.5 million tonnes of crops, representing 25% of Canada's total crop production
- Quebec dairy farms produced 3.28 billion litres of milk in 2023, accounting for 39% of national production
- In 2021, Quebec maple syrup production reached 14.9 million gallons, 72% of Canada's output
- Quebec pork industry slaughtered 12.4 million hogs in 2022, producing 1.2 million tonnes of pork meat
- Berry production in Quebec hit 150,000 tonnes in 2023, with blueberries at 45% of the total
- Quebec greenhouse vegetable production reached 450,000 tonnes in 2022, led by tomatoes at 200,000 tonnes
- In 2023, Quebec apple production was 95,000 tonnes from 5,200 hectares of orchards
- Quebec potato production totaled 650,000 tonnes in 2022 across 35,000 hectares
- Organic crop production in Quebec grew to 120,000 tonnes in 2023, up 8% from 2022
- Quebec hay production was 4.5 million tonnes in 2022 from 1.2 million hectares
- In 2023, Quebec corn for grain production reached 2.1 million tonnes, 22% of Canada's total
- Quebec soybean production hit 1.8 million tonnes in 2022 from 450,000 hectares
- Vegetable production excluding greenhouse was 280,000 tonnes in Quebec in 2023
- Quebec wheat production totaled 750,000 tonnes in 2022, mainly winter wheat varieties
- In 2023, Quebec forage production for livestock feed was 5.2 million tonnes
- Quebec strawberry production reached 25,000 tonnes in 2022 from 3,500 hectares
- Asparagus production in Quebec was 12,000 tonnes in 2023, leading Canadian output
- Quebec ginseng production exported 8 million pounds of roots in 2022
- In 2023, Quebec oat production was 450,000 tonnes from 120,000 hectares
- Quebec barley production totaled 1.2 million tonnes in 2022, used mainly for malting
- Quebec canola production reached 900,000 tonnes in 2023 from 250,000 hectares
- In 2022, Quebec raspberry production was 18,000 tonnes, 85% of Canada's supply
- Quebec cabbage production hit 45,000 tonnes in 2023 from open fields
- Dry bean production in Quebec was 35,000 tonnes in 2022
- Quebec sunflower seed production totaled 25,000 tonnes in 2023
- In 2022, Quebec carrot production was 55,000 tonnes from 2,200 hectares
- Quebec onion production reached 40,000 tonnes in 2023
- Sweet corn production in Quebec was 28,000 tonnes in 2022
- Quebec pea production for processing hit 120,000 tonnes in 2023
- In 2022, Quebec lettuce production totaled 15,000 tonnes from field crops
Production Statistics Interpretation
While Quebecers may debate independence, their agricultural sector has already seceded, claiming dominion over everything from Canada's maple syrup and raspberries to a hefty share of its dairy and pork, proving the province's true sovereignty lies in its soil and barns.
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