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The Canadian food and beverage processing sector is the largest manufacturing sector in Canada in terms of both GDP and employment, representing over 16 percent of Canada's manufacturing GDP and 17 percent of Canada's manufacturing jobs.

In 2024, the Dutch food processing industry continued to face challenges due to geopolitical tensions, market uncertainty, and rising raw material costs, all of which are causing price fluctuations.

Between 2018 and 2024, U.S. exports of confectionery products have skyrocketed from $4 million to $28 million and exports of chocolate and cocoa product grown from $16 million to a record high $31 million.

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) has announced retail price adjustments for beer, effective April 1, 2025, due to changes in the Cost of Service.

Canada continues to be the largest export market for U.S. consumer-oriented products. In 2023, U.S. consumer-oriented exports to Canada reached $20.2 billion, representing 25 percent of the total value of U.S. consumer-oriented exports worldwide.

Canada is the largest overseas market for U.S. high-value, consumer-oriented products, with exports reaching $20.4 billion in 2023 – representing a 2 percent growth from 2022. Canada's retail market is mature and largely consolidated, with five retailers comprising nearly 80 percent of the total retail grocery market.

Health Canada opened public consultations on proposed compositional requirements for infant foods and foods currently regulated as foods for special dietary use. Interested stakeholders may submit their comments until December 23, 2024.

On July 25, 2024, the Province of British Columbia announced additional temporary supports for B.C. wineries to support production of the 2024 vintage. These supports enable all B.C. wineries to produce a 2024 vintage using imported wine grapes, juice, and unfinished wines to supplement a short domestic wine grape crop.

After a 2023 outbreak, and the authorization of three types of vaccines, a new Bluetongue disease outbreak occurred again in the Netherlands in the summer of 2024. The disease is also spreading to neighboring countries Belgium and Germany.

The Province of British Columbia announced additional temporary supports for B.C. wineries on July 25, 2024. B.C. wineries will now be able to produce B.C. wines with imported wine grapes and grape juice for vintage year 2024.

The turnover of the Dutch retail sector was valued at $54 billion in 2023. The sector is relatively consolidated, with the two largest food retailers controlling almost 60 percent of the market. Due to rising retail prices, consumers visit multiple supermarkets and increasingly choose private label products.

On May 24, 2024, the Ontario provincial government announced an accelerated plan to allow sales of wine, beer, cider, and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages in grocery and convenience stores by the end of October 2024. The initial timeline provided for implementation to begin in January 2026.