Browse Data and Analysis

This report highlights certification requirements for food and agricultural products exported to Canada and supplements the FAIRS Country Report CA2021-0038.

The 2016 changes to nutrition labelling requirements come into force in December 2021, with enforcement discretion extended to December 2023. Other regulatory initiatives (like Front of Package Labeling) continue to be on hold.

Canada is the largest overseas market for U.S. high-value, consumer-oriented products, with exports reaching nearly $17 billion in 2020 – representing 25 percent of the total value of U.S. consumer-oriented exports worldwide, more than doubling the value of the next largest market.

Canada is the top export market for U.S. wines by value, and Ontario’s provincial liquor board is among the largest purchasers of beverage alcohol on the planet.

Quebec is the largest wine-importing province in Canada, at 180 million liters of wine valued at $770 million in 2020.

On May 19, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency launched a consultation on the Seeds Regulations and the environmental release of seeds.

On May 27, 2021, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) confirmed Canada’s successful application for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) negligible risk status.

Despite COVID-19 challenges, Canada remained a leading destination for U.S. agricultural exports in 2020, with high-value food and beverage exports to Canada reaching $17 billion.

Health Canada is seeking feedback on two new pieces of guidance for the Novel Foods Regulations, focused on plant breeding. The consultation will be open for 60 days until May 24, 2021.

Canada’s federal budget measure passed on April 26, including more than $5.2 billion of proposed new spending related to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors, including nearly $2 billion of direct investments.

A look at how U.S. agricultural exports performed in 2020.