Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Canadian bakery market volume grew from 177 thousand tons to 237 thousand tons. This increase was supported by a wave of new product launches in 2018, which expanded assortment and stimulated consumer interest. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp rise in at-home consumption, driving a 21% surge in bread sales in March and lifting the overall market volume.

After the pandemic peak, market volume contracted to 179 thousand tons in 2021, reflecting a normalization of demand. A recovery to 223 thousand tons followed in 2022, partly buoyed by strong external demand as Canadian bakery exports nearly doubled since 2020. However, record food inflation in early 2023 caused price increases and reduced physical sales volumes, pulling the market down to 173 thousand tons.

Throughout the period, the market was shaped by health-oriented trends such as allergen-free and clean-label positioning, alongside the rapid growth of e-commerce as a sales channel. The entry of new players, like the opening of Boulangerie Brioche à Tête in Montreal in 2021, and recognition for local artisanal bakeries contributed to the sector's dynamics.

Production bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Canada ranked as the 14th largest producer of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares, 2017-2020

World map of production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares, 2017-2020

In Canada, production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 485.9 thousand tonnes, marking a significant year-on-year increase of 15.9%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 38.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in Canada expanded for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the value of this output was 2 018 million US dollars, reflecting a 16.2% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 52%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.0%.

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

Exports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares from Canada

Exports in kind, K t

Canada's export volume of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares increased for the third straight year. In 2020, exports totaled 754.3 thousand tonnes, showing a slight rise of 1.1% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 17.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Canada in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was overwhelmingly the primary destination for Canada's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in volume terms, accounting for 95.8% 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

The value of Canada's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 3 134 million US dollars, up by 1.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 28.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 8.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated the partner structure for exports in value terms, consistently representing 96.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares to Canada

Imports in kind, K t

Canada imported a total of 1 652 thousand tonnes of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in 2020, down by 2.7% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 62.1%, with a compound annual decline rate of 27.6%. The largest drop occurred in 2018, at 61.9%, while the biggest increase was recorded in 2019, at 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Canada in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of imports in volume terms was marked by a strong dominance of the United States, which held a 76.6% share of total flows, with other partners contributing relatively minor shares.

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

The value of Canada's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports registered 1 652 million US dollars, representing a 1.0% uptick from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 11.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States accounted for 75.0% of Canada's total imports in value terms, with the remaining flows distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

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