Momentum is building: Canada’s rise in global agri-food
Global snapshot: Agri-food influence by nation
How we rank
The Global Agri-Food: Most Influential Nations Rankings measures the agri-food influence of G20 members using a three-tier system across six performance pillars.
In this second edition, the results point to new gains for Canada and where untapped opportunities remain.
Explore how other G20 countries compare:
Canada is gaining momentum, and the journey is just the beginning.
Canada’s agri-food sector is moving up the global ranks and fast. In latest edition of the Global Agri-Food Report, Canada advanced from eleventh to seventh among G20 peers. This rise reflects stronger alignment across innovation, trade, and sector performance, and signals growing international recognition of Canada’s leadership potential.
Still, there’s work to do. Gaps remain in commercialization, consolidation, and food retail competition. Nurturing the people and businesses driving innovation, from emerging startups to established producers, will be just as important. Progress will depend on removing barriers, improving coordination, and empowering those shaping Canada’s future in food.
Explore the six pillars driving Canada’s performance and the opportunities ahead.
Progress to potential: Canada’s agri-food influence at a glance
Strengths to build on, emerging opportunities, and challenges to overcome.
Where Canada stands: Key insights across six pillars
Pillar 1: Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Support, Technology and Innovation
Canada has the talent — now it needs to scale it.
Canada is home to a thriving agri-food tech scene, with more than 320 startups raising over $3 billion USD. But growth isn’t evenly distributed. Commercialization lags global leaders, and smaller producers often miss out on tech adoption. The next step? Turning innovation into market value across the entire sector.
- $3B+ raised by 320+ Canadian agri-food tech startups, placing 10th globally in number of ag-tech companies
- Canada scores a top tier 1 for patent output and IP support
- 37% decline in R&D investment since 2023.
- Canada’s score of #1 in tech adoption reflects strength, but most uptake is limited to large-scale operations
Comparison:
Brazil and China are outpacing Canada in scaling startups and boosting R&D intensity, while accelerating the path from innovation to commercialization.
Pillar 2: Food Security and Nutrition
Access is strong, but affordability remains a challenge.
Canada ranks well globally for food access, with fewer than three percent of people unable to afford a nutritious diet. But nearly one in five Canadians still face moderate or severe food insecurity. As food inflation continues and trust in the system declines, there’s growing urgency to reinforce confidence, expand access in remote communities, and improve national coordination.
- Nearly 1 in 5 Canadians still experience food insecurity
- Less than 3% of Canadians are unable to afford a nutritious diet
- Shifting views on the food system, influenced by transparency and concentration concerns
- Canada scores lower on policy integration than Brazil and India
Comparison:
Canada outperforms G20 peers like South Korea and the U.S. in basic food affordability, but trails countries like Brazil in coordinated national strategies and public engagement.
Pillar 3: Retail and Fiscal Regime
Market power is shrinking in the middle, and food service poised for growth.
Canada’s food retail landscape is becoming increasingly concentrated, with the top four grocery chains now commanding 72% of sales — up from 65% just last year. Meanwhile, the top five food processors dominate over 40% of key market categories, tightening their hold on the industry. This level of consolidation places Canada among the most concentrated food markets globally, limiting price competition and reducing supply chain flexibility. With nearly 80% of food loss occurring before products reach consumers, there’s a clear opportunity for stronger collaboration across the sector. While food service has largely rebounded, it continues to miss out on growth opportunities tied to tourism and hospitality.
- 72% of grocery sales controlled by top four retailers. That’s up from 65% last year
- Top 5 food processors now hold over 40% of key market categories, tightening their grip on the industry.
- 78% of food loss occurs before food reaches households
- Food service lags, and missing out on tourism-fuelled growth
- Digital retail adoption lags G20 leaders like China and the U.S.
- Food retail spending is falling behind inflation
Comparison:
While Canada’s grocery code of conduct works to improve collaboration between retailers and suppliers, the country has yet to match benchmark nations like Germany and Japan, where stronger policies and infrastructure have streamlined supply chains and promoted fairness. Meanwhile, France and Mexico have seen strong restaurant growth driven by tourism, and Italy has successfully leveraged its cultural exports to boost food service recovery.
Pillar 4: Trade and Geopolitics
A stronger trade position is fuelling Canada’s global rise, however, limits remain.
Canada’s agri-food sector continues to benefit from a trade surplus of more than $60 billion USD, supported by a reputation for reliability and political stability. Recent agreements now give Canadian producers access to 1.27 billion consumers, nearly one third more than a year ago. Yet our export mix remains narrow, leaving the sector exposed to tariff shifts and broader economic pressures. Expanding into new and fast-growing markets could help Canada translate trade strength into lasting competitiveness.
- Agri-food trade surplus exceeds $60B USD
- Trade agreements now cover 1.27B people, up from under 1B in 2024
- Expanding Canada’s trade reach through new partnerships can boost competitiveness and elevate impact
- High political stability boosts Canada’s trust factor on the global stage
Comparison:
Some peers have moved faster to diversify. Brazil’s trade agreements cover over 4B people, and China is steadily expanding in emerging regions. This broader reach gives then a stronger buffer against shifting tariffs and changing market conditions — an opportunity for Canada to develop in the worlds fastest-growing regions.
Pillar 5: Sectoral Competitiveness & Economic Impact
Canada’s global strength is clear, but it’s not evenly distributed.
Canada is one of the world’s top producers of wheat, oats, canola, and pulses, and it also ranks third globally in pork and beef exports. Its labour model is also resilient, with less than three percent of the workforce in agriculture and 70 thousand temporary foreign workers. But domestic value generation paints a contrasting picture. Sub-sectors like dairy, wine, and produce remain underdeveloped, limiting economic return and food system resilience. However, emerging industries such as the health and wellness space remain largely underleveraged, a global sector estimated value of $197.5 billion.
- Top 5 global exporter of key crops including pork and beef exports
- Only 2.9% of Canadians work in ag, with 70,000 TFWs supporting production
- Domestic value creation lags in dairy, wine, and produce
- Health and wellness is a high-growth sector with billion-dollar potential still untapped
Comparison:
The U.S. ranks ahead of Canada in sectorial competitiveness and economic impact. To keep up, Canada needs to broaden sector support beyond its strongest exports and explore growing opportunities with emerging new sectors.
Pillar 6: Sustainability & Environmental Impact
Canada is climate-ready
Canada scores top marks for its biodiversity protection and climate risk data infrastructure, and has committed more than $3.5 billion through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. There’s also a meaningful opportunity to further enhance support for producers, which could help unlock even greater success within this pillar.
- $3.5B+ invested in sustainable agriculture initiatives
- Top score for biodiversity and climate risk tracking
Comparison:
Brazil is advancing quickly in the adoption of climate-smart practices, driving progress in sustainable food production. With its strong foundation, Canada has an opportunity to match this pace by strengthening support for innovation and turning policy goals into measurable results.
What’s next for Canada’s agri-food sector?
Canada’s rise in the global agri-food rankings isn’t just a moment. It’s a signal. Our sector is gaining international recognition, and the next chapter will depend on how we turn momentum into measurable progress.
From emerging tech to trusted trade, Canada’s path forward offers opportunities for stronger partnerships, smarter infrastructure, and better coordination across the public and private sectors. That includes removing barriers, enabling innovation, and empowering businesses of all sizes — from farms to exports — to lead the way. It also means staying resilient against shifting tariffs and other global trade pressures that could shape market access in the years ahead.
MNP has supported Canadian agriculture for more than 65 years. We understand the complexity behind the progress, and we’re here to help you navigate what’s next.
Is your strategy built for what’s ahead in agri-food?
Explore the full report or connect with us to learn how we’re helping agri-food businesses grow, adapt, and lead in a rapidly shifting global market.
Reflecting on progress: Explore the first edition
Canada’s potential is a journey, and so is its progress. Revisit the inaugural edition of our report to see how Canada and other countries performed, and gain perspective on how far we’ve come.
