National & Regional
Data
In 2022, Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing industry was made up of approximately 13,150 establishments contributing $35B to Canada’s GDP and directly employing nearly 300,000 people. In the same year, the value of Canadian food and beverage exports was estimated at $54.3B accounting for 7% of Canada’s total exports.
Sector Profiles
There are over 7,600 food and beverage processing businesses operating in the sector that employ at least one person and the vast majority of these establishments are small or medium-sized businesses, with roughly 91% of food and beverage processors in Canada having fewer than 100 paid employees.
Labor Market
Tightness
While this concept applies to economic sectors in Canada it is particularly serious for food and beverage manufacturers — especially those located in semi-rural and rural regions of the country.
Canadian Education Data
The huge variety of occupations and career paths available in Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing industry is reflected in the educational landscape through colleges, universities, private trainers, and associations. In the fall of 2019, there were 490 industry-relevant programs of study provided by 160 institutions, offering the opportunity for a mix of theoretical instruction and practical application.
Fast Fact
The Government of Canada has announced that to make up for the shortfall in 2020 due to Covid-19, the country will welcome more than 1.2 million newcomers between 2021 and 2023, in addition to more than 400,000 new permanent residents every year from 2021 to 2023.
Resources
Videos & Webinars
On demand videos & webinars on a variety of topics.
Career Ladders
Learn about career ladders in the food and beverage processing industry.
Employer Programs
Employer programs for Canada’s food and beverage processing industry.
Featured reports
Industry Growth and Outlook
The Canadian food and beverage manufacturing industry will need 142,000 new people between 2023 and 2030 or almost 50% of the current workforce.
Other Food Processing Sector Report
An in-depth survey where the information comes directly from Other Food Processors. From the 126 processors we surveyed, approximately one-third (34%) reported not being able to fill positions or chronic recruitment challenges. Through this survey report you will get to hear information about recruitment challenges, how many vacancies there are and what benefits the industry is offering, all right from the industry.