Alcoholic beer market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the Canadian beer market showed limited growth despite a boom in microbreweries, whose numbers had risen over 150% since 2015, bringing the market close to saturation. At the same time, average per-person beer consumption continued to decline, and high government taxes and alcohol board margins—making up nearly half of the average retail price—constrained volume expansion.

After a brief increase in 2020, market volume fell from 2021 through 2023. This decline was driven by a shift in consumer preferences toward ready‑to‑drink cocktails, ciders, and spirits, which reduced beer's share of the total alcohol market. Economic pressures, including inflation and rising interest rates, further reduced disposable income and negatively impacted beer sales in 2023.

Throughout the period, consumers increasingly favored local craft options, supporting that segment even as the overall market contracted. By 2024, the re‑application of federal alcohol taxes and the growing popularity of non‑alcoholic alternatives—now representing 15% of the beer market—posed additional challenges for the industry.

Production alcoholic beer in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, Canada ranked 16th globally in alcoholic beer production volume.

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, Canada's alcoholic beer production rebounded. In 2020, Canada produced 2 267 million liters of alcoholic beer, marking a 5.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 160 million liters, following the largest decline of 1.9% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in kind, 2017-2020, M l

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Alcoholic beer production in Canada increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 649 million US dollars, up 2.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 8.2%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 2.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports alcoholic beer from Canada

Exports in kind, M l

Cross-border shipments of alcoholic beer from Canada declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 141.5 million liters, a 3.1% drop compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 15.7%, with an annualized decline rate of 5.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Canada in kind, 2017-2020, M l

During 2017-2020, the export partner base for alcoholic beer in kind was extremely narrow, with the United States accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Canada in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Alcoholic beer exports from Canada fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Canada exported 102.9 million US dollars worth of alcoholic beer, a 5.8% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 11.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Canada in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States clearly dominated as the buyer of alcoholic beer from Canada, taking 100.0% of total exports in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Canada in value, 2017-2020

Imports alcoholic beer to Canada

Imports in kind, M l

In 2020, foreign alcoholic beer supplies to Canada amounted to 322.1 million liters, a 14.1% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 14.7%, with an annualized decline rate of 5.1%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 0.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Canada in kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico (19.8% of imports in kind), the Netherlands (19.7% of imports in kind), and the United States (19.1% of imports in kind) formed the main group of sources for alcoholic beer imports to Canada, together accounting for 58.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Canada in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Alcoholic beer imports to Canada declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Canada imported a total of 483.1 million US dollars worth of alcoholic beer, representing a sharp drop of 12.8% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 15.5%, with an annualized decline rate of 5.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 573.3 million US dollars, following the largest increase of 0.3% that same year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Canada in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands (21.1% of imports in value terms), the United States (20.2% of imports in value terms), and Mexico (18.2% of imports in value terms) led the import structure in value terms, collectively representing 59.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Canada in value, 2017-2020