The Workforce Imperative: Canada's Food & Beverage Manufacturing Outlook 2026 - 2034

Published September 18, 2026

The Workforce Imperative: Canada’s Food & Beverage Manufacturing Outlook 2026 – 2034

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Report Introduction

Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing sector is entering a critical period. Employing approximately 317,000 people in 2025, the industry will require 173,000 new hires by 2034 to support growth and replace retirements.

This situation creates an immediate challenge for industry and policy stakeholders, especially with Canada’s commitment to the National Food Security Strategy. If workforce needs are not addressed, labour shortages could constrain production, slow expansion, increase operating costs, and weaken the competitiveness of Canadian-made food and beverage products.

Insights in This Report:

The workforce challenge comes as the sector is demonstrating significant economic strength:
- Food and beverage manufacturing sales reached approximately $173 billion in 2025, up 69 per cent from 2015.
- Food manufacturing’s trade surplus grew to $13 billion, nearly four times its 2015 level.

Operators will be in greatest demand, with 60,800 new hires required by 2034. The industry will also need approximately 34,300 labourers and 19,800 sales professionals. Together, operators and labourers represent more than half of the sector’s projected hiring requirements.

The provincial outlook reveals different pressures across the country. Alberta leads the forecast for growth and PEI is also strongly positioned, however Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia have substantial recruitment demands ahead, as does Ontario.