Processed Food and Beverages

The Canadian food and beverage processing industry supplies approximately 80% of processed food and beverage products available in Canada. In 2006, the industry had sales of $78B.

Food processing, which is defined here as per the North American Industry Classification (NAICS) 311), is an important industry to the Canadian economy. It is the second largest manufacturing industry in Canada after transportation equipment. The food industry employs approximately 268,000 people. In 2006, sales of food processing products were valued at $68B.

Beverage processing (NAICS 3121) includes soft drinks and bottled water manufacturing, wineries, breweries and distilleries. It employs approximately 32,000 people and in 2006, it sales were valued at $10B.

Industry Overview

Food Processing and Beverage Industry
This section provides an overview of the significance of the food and beverage processing industry in Canada. As well, industry snapshots and in-depth profiles of sub-sectors within the industry are presented.

Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals is a rapidly growing category within the agri-food industry.

Fish and Seafood is a unique and important segment within the food sector, for markets both in Canada and internationally.

Canada's dairy sector plays an important role in the Canadian agriculture and agri-food economy.

Regulations

Food Regulatory Environment
This section provides links to the official Acts and Regulations that govern the products and operations of the agri-food industry, and looks at regulatory issues that can have an impact on food industry investment, innovation and competitiveness.

Statistics

Per capita Food disappearance and expenditures data, including some Canada/US comparison.

Food Statistics (Statistics Canada)
A publication containing information on food consumption, food prices and nutrition, as well as data on the food industry, processing, employment, productivity and trade.

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 2002 - Canada (Statistics Canada). This provides a description of the Classification System and, in particular, how the food and beverage industries are defined and further subdivided within the Classification.

Food Manufacturing Statistics (Industry Canada) Various statistics are presented for the food industry and it's sub-industries, including definitions, number of establishments, value of production, employments, GDP, trade, etc…

Beverage Manufacturing Statistics (Industry Canada) Various statistics are presented for the beverage manufacturing industry and it's sub-industries, including definitions, number of establishments, value of production, employments, GDP, trade, etc…

Dairy Facts and Figures This section provides detailed statistics related to dairy cattle improvement, quota exchanges and prices, milk production at the farm, shipments to processors, dairy farming revenue and expenses, processing, sales of fluid milk and cream, supply and disposition, consumption of dairy products, and retail prices, index prices and dairy household expenditures in Canada.