Browse Data and Analysis

Production of wheat, corn, barley, and oats is forecast to increase two percent year-over-year to 62.7 million metric tons (MT) in MY 2025/26 and area planted to grains will increase 2.2 percent year-over-year to 27.5 million hectares, according to Statistics Canada’s planting intentions survey.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a new directive for “Phytosanitary requirements for the importation and domestic movement of grapevine material for propagation or decorative use as fresh cut vines”.

The federal government announced a set of relief measures for Canadian businesses impacted by tariffs with the United States, including the temporary remission of surtaxes applied on U.S. goods from Canada’s retaliatory list, provided these goods are used as inputs in food and beverage manufacturing, processing, and packaging.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) have negotiated new conditions for the importation of U.S. natural casings from the United States to Canada.

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.

The Canadian cattle herd continued to experience contraction to begin 2025, however, there are signs of herd stabilization as cow slaughter declines and producers indicate an increase in heifer retention for beef replacement.

Production of oilseeds (including canola, soybeans, and sunflower seeds) is forecast to increase only marginally in MY 2025/26 over the previous marketing year, reaching 25.57 million MT.

For marketing year (MY) 2025/26, Post forecasts a slight increase in cotton imports due to increasing demand in the ready-made garments industry.

For marketing year (MY) 2025/26, Post forecasts lower rice imports than in MY 2024/25, assuming higher production based on favorable weather. Demand for wheat continues to increase and Post forecasts slightly higher imports for MY 2025/26 to align with demand.

The installation of Bangladesh’s Interim Government in August 2024, has led to a renewed focus on macroeconomic stability, which will enable increased exports to the market as restrictions on Letters of Credit ease as foreign currency reserves stabilize.

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.

On March 4, 2025, Canada implemented a 25 percent tariff on an initial tranche of over $20 billion in imports of goods from the United States, including $5.5 billion worth of agricultural products.