Maize flour and cereals market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

The Canadian maize flour and cereals market saw regulatory foundations laid in 2018 with the introduction of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations and mandatory enrichment of white flour, which set composition and safety standards. The following year, Prairie Flour Mills entered a national partnership with Walmart Canada to launch an all-purpose flour brand, expanding consumer access. Market volume eased to 3 780 thousand tonnes in 2019 before rising to 4 008 thousand tonnes in 2020, supported by the continued enforcement of these quality and nutrition rules.

A significant expansion to 4 548 thousand tonnes occurred in 2021. The market then contracted to 4 283 thousand tonnes in 2022, primarily due to a 13% retail price increase for grain and oilseed products, a consequence of the war in Ukraine and North American drought that raised costs and tempered consumption. Volume recovered to 4 529 thousand tonnes in 2023, supported by the development of new market segments in Quebec, such as breakfast cereal manufacturing and the diversification of grain use into non-food applications like biofuels and textiles.

Production maize flour and cereals in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada ranked as the world's 10th largest producer of maize flour and cereals.

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

In 2020, Canada produced 3 969 K t of maize flour and cereals, marking a modest 5.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 6.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 1.7%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Canada

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Canada's maize flour and cereals export volume was 65.1 K t, representing a notable 21.3% decrease compared to the year before. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 18.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 6.6%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 82.6 K t, with the largest year-over-year increase of 7.2% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated Canada's maize flour and cereals exports in volume, accounting for 77.7% of total flows, while other markets made up the remainder.

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, K $ US

In 2020, Canada's maize flour and cereals exports totaled 38 929 K $ US, showing a 26.7% rise from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 55.3%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 15.8%. The most substantial decline was in 2019, when exports dropped by 1.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States effectively monopolized the value of Canada's maize flour and cereals exports, capturing 93.8% 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 maize flour and cereals to Canada

Imports in kind, K t

The import market showed an unstable trend over this timeframe. In 2017, imports reached their lowest point, while 2020 saw the highest volume, with a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Canada imported approximately 104.0 K t of maize flour and cereals, up 19.7% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 3.4% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018, surging by 149.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading source for Canada's maize flour and cereals imports by volume, holding an 86.9% share of total flows, with other markets accounting for the rest.

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, K $ US

In 2020, Canada's maize flour and cereals imports amounted to 63 427 K $ US, increasing by 13.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 22.5%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 7.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a 4.8% decrease.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States accounted for 81.6% of Canada's total import value for maize flour and cereals, with the remaining share distributed among numerous countries, each with smaller individual portions.

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

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