Quebec’s food industry generated CAD 28 billion in GDP in 2022, equal to 7% of the province’s total. Food manufacturing alone added CAD 12.8 billion, while retail food sales reached CAD 45 billion in 2023. The figures link production, processing, jobs, and trade so the biggest shifts stand out, not the averages.
Key Takeaways
- Quebec food industry contributed CAD 28 billion to GDP in 2022, 7% of provincial GDP
- Quebec employed 68,000 people in food manufacturing in 2023, 12% of Canada's total
- Quebec food exports totaled CAD 12.5 billion in 2023, 15% of Canada's agri-food exports
- In 2023, Quebec invested CAD 120 million in food innovation hubs
- In 2022, Quebec's agricultural sector produced 12.5 million tonnes of crops, representing 25% of Canada's total crop production
Quebec’s food industry posted strong growth in 2023, driven by steady demand and resilient producers.
Related reading
01 · Category
Economic Contribution Statistics27 stats
01
Quebec food industry contributed CAD 28 billion to GDP in 2022, 7% of provincial GDP
02
Agri-food sector generated CAD 15.5 billion in farm cash receipts in 2023
03
Food manufacturing added CAD 12.8 billion to Quebec GDP in 2022
04
In 2023, Quebec dairy industry economic impact was CAD 7.2 billion including multipliers
05
Pork sector contributed CAD 4.5 billion to Quebec economy in 2022
06
Maple industry generated CAD 1.2 billion in economic activity in 2023
07
Quebec food processing investments totaled CAD 850 million in 2022
08
Retail food sales in Quebec reached CAD 45 billion in 2023
09
In 2022, Quebec agri-food supported 300,000 indirect jobs worth CAD 18 billion wages
10
Greenhouse sector economic output CAD 2.1 billion in 2023 Quebec
11
Berry industry contributed CAD 1.8 billion to GDP in 2022
12
Quebec tourism related to food generated CAD 3.5 billion in 2023
13
In 2022, organic sector economic value CAD 1.5 billion in Quebec
14
Food R&D spending in Quebec was CAD 450 million in 2023
15
Quebec pork processing economic multiplier effect 2.8x direct output in 2022
16
Seafood industry contributed CAD 2.2 billion to Quebec GDP in 2023
17
In 2022, Quebec craft beverage sector CAD 1.1 billion economic impact
18
Bakery industry sales CAD 5.8 billion in Quebec 2023
19
Quebec farm gate value for horticulture CAD 2.9 billion in 2022
20
Food wholesaling turnover CAD 32 billion in Quebec 2023
21
In 2022, Quebec cheese production value CAD 2.4 billion
22
Agritourism revenue CAD 650 million in Quebec 2023
23
Quebec potato industry economic output CAD 1.3 billion in 2022
24
In 2023, ginseng sector CAD 250 million value chain in Quebec
25
Food service industry CAD 22 billion sales in Quebec 2022
26
Quebec wine and cider industry CAD 450 million in 2023
27
Overall agri-food tax revenues CAD 3.1 billion to Quebec gov in 2022
Interpretation
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.
02 · Category
Employment Statistics27 stats
01
Quebec employed 68,000 people in food manufacturing in 2023, 12% of Canada's total
02
Agricultural employment in Quebec averaged 45,200 jobs in 2022, down 2% from prior year
03
Food processing sector in Quebec had 32,500 full-time jobs in 2023
04
In 2022, Quebec dairy industry supported 25,000 direct jobs across farms and processing
05
Pork sector in Quebec employed 18,000 workers in 2023, including slaughter and processing
06
Quebec maple syrup industry created 12,500 seasonal jobs in 2022 tapping season
07
Food retail and distribution in Quebec had 150,000 employees in 2023
08
In 2022, Quebec greenhouse operations employed 8,200 workers year-round
09
Berry harvesting in Quebec required 15,000 migrant workers in 2023 season
10
Quebec food R&D sector employed 4,500 scientists and technicians in 2022
11
Bakery and confectionery manufacturing in Quebec had 9,800 jobs in 2023
12
In 2022, Quebec meat processing plants employed 22,000 full-time equivalents
13
Beverage manufacturing, including craft beer, employed 7,200 in Quebec 2023
14
Quebec seafood processing industry had 5,500 jobs in 2022 coastal regions
15
Organic farming in Quebec supported 6,800 jobs in 2023, up 10% YoY
16
Food wholesaling in Quebec employed 28,000 in 2022
17
In 2023, Quebec agritourism generated 4,200 seasonal jobs on farms
18
Dairy processing plants in Quebec had 12,000 employees in 2022
19
Quebec fruit and vegetable processing employed 10,500 in 2023
20
Grain milling industry in Quebec supported 3,200 jobs in 2022
21
In 2023, Quebec catering and institutional food services employed 95,000
22
Poultry processing in Quebec had 8,900 jobs in 2022
23
Quebec food quality control inspectors numbered 2,500 in 2023 across industry
24
Craft food producers in Quebec employed 7,800 artisans in 2022
25
Logistics and transport for food in Quebec had 35,000 jobs in 2023
26
In 2022, Quebec veterinary services for livestock employed 1,800 professionals
27
Food engineering and machinery sector employed 4,200 in Quebec 2023
Interpretation
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.
03 · Category
Export and Trade Statistics27 stats
01
Quebec food exports totaled CAD 12.5 billion in 2023, 15% of Canada's agri-food exports
02
Pork exports from Quebec reached CAD 3.8 billion in 2022 to 70 countries
03
Maple syrup exports hit CAD 550 million in 2023, 90% of production exported
04
Dairy product exports from Quebec were CAD 1.2 billion in 2022, mainly to USA
05
Quebec blueberry exports totaled 45,000 tonnes worth CAD 250 million in 2023
06
In 2022, Quebec processed food exports grew 5% to CAD 8.7 billion
07
Pork exports to Asia from Quebec were CAD 1.5 billion in 2023, 40% of total pork exports
08
Quebec cheese exports reached CAD 450 million in 2022 to EU markets
09
Cranberry exports from Quebec hit CAD 120 million in 2023, mainly USA
10
In 2022, Quebec seafood exports totaled CAD 850 million, led by snow crab
11
Maple products beyond syrup exported CAD 100 million in 2023
12
Quebec ginseng exports were 95% of production, CAD 180 million in 2022
13
Processed vegetable exports from Quebec reached CAD 300 million in 2023
14
In 2022, Quebec ice cider exports grew 12% to CAD 25 million
15
Poultry meat exports from Quebec totaled CAD 450 million in 2023 to Middle East
16
Quebec craft beer exports hit CAD 50 million in 2022 to USA and Europe
17
Apple juice concentrate exports CAD 80 million in 2023 from Quebec
18
In 2022, Quebec baked goods exports were CAD 200 million, mainly pastries
19
Organic product exports from Quebec reached CAD 350 million in 2023
20
Quebec potato exports totaled 150,000 tonnes CAD 120 million in 2022
21
Wine exports from Quebec vineyards CAD 15 million in 2023
22
In 2022, Quebec honey exports were CAD 40 million to 30 countries
23
Processed pork products exports CAD 2.1 billion in 2023 from Quebec
24
Quebec foie gras exports hit CAD 60 million in 2022, mainly France
25
In 2023, Quebec snack food exports grew to CAD 180 million
26
Seafood processing exports CAD 950 million in 2022, 60% to USA
27
Quebec agri-food trade surplus was CAD 4.2 billion in 2023
Interpretation
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.
More related reading
04 · Category
Innovation and Sustainability Statistics27 stats
01
In 2023, Quebec invested CAD 120 million in food innovation hubs
02
45% of Quebec farms adopted precision agriculture tech by 2022
03
Quebec food industry R&D intensity 1.8% of sales in 2023, above national average
04
Organic farmland in Quebec reached 850,000 hectares in 2023, 8.5% of total
05
72 Quebec companies received CAD 50 million in green food grants 2022
06
Food waste reduction initiatives saved 150,000 tonnes in Quebec 2023
07
35% of Quebec dairy farms use methane capture tech in 2022
08
Quebec launched 120 new plant-based products in 2023, up 25%
09
Water usage efficiency improved 22% in Quebec greenhouses since 2018 to 2023
10
60% of Quebec pork producers certified carbon neutral by 2025 goal in 2022
11
AI adoption in Quebec food supply chain reached 28% of firms in 2023
12
Renewable energy use in food processing 42% of total in Quebec 2022
13
Quebec berry farms reduced pesticides 35% via IPM in 2023
14
150 blockchain pilots for traceability in Quebec food chain 2022
15
Compost production from food waste hit 200,000 tonnes in Quebec 2023
16
Quebec invested CAD 80 million in vertical farming startups 2022
17
55% reduction in packaging plastic targeted by 2030, 25% achieved 2023
18
Lab-grown meat R&D funded CAD 15 million in Quebec universities 2022
19
Energy efficiency retrofits saved CAD 45 million in food plants 2023
20
Quebec maple taps using tubing systems 98% coverage in 2022
21
Biodiversity projects on 500 Quebec farms in 2023 enhanced habitats
22
Digital twin tech piloted in 20 Quebec dairies for herd management 2022
23
Solar power installations on farms reached 1,200 MW in Quebec 2023
24
Insect protein production scaled to 5,000 tonnes annually in 2022 Quebec
25
GHG emissions from Quebec agri-food down 12% since 2015 to 2023
26
75 new biotech food patents filed by Quebec firms in 2022
27
Water recycling rate in Quebec food processing 65% in 2023
Interpretation
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.
05 · Category
Production Statistics30 stats
01
In 2022, Quebec's agricultural sector produced 12.5 million tonnes of crops, representing 25% of Canada's total crop production
02
Quebec dairy farms produced 3.28 billion litres of milk in 2023, accounting for 39% of national production
03
In 2021, Quebec maple syrup production reached 14.9 million gallons, 72% of Canada's output
04
Quebec pork industry slaughtered 12.4 million hogs in 2022, producing 1.2 million tonnes of pork meat
05
Berry production in Quebec hit 150,000 tonnes in 2023, with blueberries at 45% of the total
06
Quebec greenhouse vegetable production reached 450,000 tonnes in 2022, led by tomatoes at 200,000 tonnes
07
In 2023, Quebec apple production was 95,000 tonnes from 5,200 hectares of orchards
08
Quebec potato production totaled 650,000 tonnes in 2022 across 35,000 hectares
09
Organic crop production in Quebec grew to 120,000 tonnes in 2023, up 8% from 2022
10
Quebec hay production was 4.5 million tonnes in 2022 from 1.2 million hectares
11
In 2023, Quebec corn for grain production reached 2.1 million tonnes, 22% of Canada's total
12
Quebec soybean production hit 1.8 million tonnes in 2022 from 450,000 hectares
13
Vegetable production excluding greenhouse was 280,000 tonnes in Quebec in 2023
14
Quebec wheat production totaled 750,000 tonnes in 2022, mainly winter wheat varieties
15
In 2023, Quebec forage production for livestock feed was 5.2 million tonnes
16
Quebec strawberry production reached 25,000 tonnes in 2022 from 3,500 hectares
17
Asparagus production in Quebec was 12,000 tonnes in 2023, leading Canadian output
18
Quebec ginseng production exported 8 million pounds of roots in 2022
19
In 2023, Quebec oat production was 450,000 tonnes from 120,000 hectares
20
Quebec barley production totaled 1.2 million tonnes in 2022, used mainly for malting
21
Quebec canola production reached 900,000 tonnes in 2023 from 250,000 hectares
22
In 2022, Quebec raspberry production was 18,000 tonnes, 85% of Canada's supply
23
Quebec cabbage production hit 45,000 tonnes in 2023 from open fields
24
Dry bean production in Quebec was 35,000 tonnes in 2022
25
Quebec sunflower seed production totaled 25,000 tonnes in 2023
26
In 2022, Quebec carrot production was 55,000 tonnes from 2,200 hectares
27
Quebec onion production reached 40,000 tonnes in 2023
28
Sweet corn production in Quebec was 28,000 tonnes in 2022
29
Quebec pea production for processing hit 120,000 tonnes in 2023
30
In 2022, Quebec lettuce production totaled 15,000 tonnes from field crops
Interpretation
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.
Reference
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APA
Aisha Okonkwo. (2026, February 13). Quebec Food Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/quebec-food-industry-statistics
MLA
Aisha Okonkwo. "Quebec Food Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/quebec-food-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Aisha Okonkwo. 2026. "Quebec Food Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/quebec-food-industry-statistics.
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