The 2018 trade results for Canadian food and agricultural products has just been released. Hart & Associates Management Consultants Ltd. has analyzed Statistics Canada’s International Merchandise Trade Data and we present the highlights of this analysis in this report.
A. Food Product Export Sales
The Size of Food Product Exports
Exports of Canadian food products reached $26.3 billion in 2018, up by 3.7% from 2017. Food product imports to Canada increased by 1.3%. (For purposes of this analysis, we excluded the sales of alcoholic beverages)
The largest export food product categories reported by Statistics Canada was “other” category (baked good, snacks, confectionery) at $12.8 billion, meat products at $7.89 billion and $4.0 billion for seafood products. The value of 2018 food product imports to Canada was $23.9 billion.
Value of Canadian Food Exports, 2018
($millions)
Sources: Hart & Associates analysis of Statistics Canada, International Merchandise Trade Data
Food Product Export Sales Growth
Export sales of carbonated and non-carbonated water posted the highest export sales growth of 34.5%. The meat and other food products categories posted strong export sales growth rates of 8.7% and 8.5% respectively.
Export Sales Growth Of Food Products (2018/2017)
Sources: Hart & Associates analysis of Statistics Canada, International Merchandise Trade Data.
B. Agricultural Products Export Sales
Size of Agricultural Product Exports
Exports of Canadian agricultural products reached $17.0 billion in 2018, a 2.2% increase over 2017. The value of agricultural products imported into Canada reached $34.2 billion in 2018, an increase of 10.7% over 2017.
The agricultural sectors posting the highest export growth in 2018 were wheat and “other” crops at $7.3 billion each, canola at $5.7 billion and fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts at $5.3 billion.
Value of Canadian Agricultural Product Exports, 2018
Sources: Hart & Associates analysis of Statistics Canada, International Merchandise Trade Data.
Agricultural Products Export Sales Growth Rates
Several agricultural products achieved strong export sales growth in 2018. Other crop products, animal feed and wheat posted export sales growth rates of about 12%. At the other end, exports sales of canola and rapeseed declined by 12% and export sales of fresh fruit and vegetables and live animals declined by 8% and 8.2% respectively in 2018.
Export Sales Growth For Agricultural Products (2018 over 2017)
Sources: Hart & Associates analysis of Statistics Canada, International Merchandise Trade Data.
Hart & Associates Management Consultants Ltd.
Consultants to the agri-food industry
Hart & Associates provides business development and business strategy services to food processing and agricultural organizations to help improve their sales, profit and company value. We conduct market and customer research to help our clients increase sales in domestic and export markets. We also conduct business feasibility studies and develop business plans to help our clients make the right business expansion decisions. If you have goals to improve and expand your business, please call us to discuss how we can help you succeed.
Hart & Associates Management Consultants Ltd. developed detailed import and export tables for food and agricultural products for the above analysis. If you wish to receive a copy of these, please contact: douglashart@hartconsultants.com