Canada Will Require 173,000 Food Sector Workers

The food and beverage manufacturing industry faces significant hiring needs to support expansion and retirements through 2034.

Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Employment

Canada Will Require 173,000 Food Sector Workers

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Between 2026 and 2034, Canada's food and beverage manufacturing sector will require 173,000 new workers to sustain operations. This projection includes both the replacement of departing employees and the needs of an expanding industry.

Why it matters

The sector must address these significant labour requirements to maintain the production levels of a $173 billion industry. Balancing workforce replenishment with technological integration remains a core challenge for the Canadian economy.

The sector requires 19,200 new hires annually, drawing from a current workforce of 317,000 people. Between 2015 and 2024, productivity declined by an average of 0.17 per cent annually while unit labour costs rose by 36 per cent.

The details

Ontario faces the highest demand, requiring nearly 65,000 new workers by 2034, while Alberta and Prince Edward Island need 16,800 and 2,400 respectively. Nearly 100,000 of the total projected hires will be needed to replace workers leaving the labour force, with industry expansion accounting for the remaining 43 per cent of hiring needs.

Between 2015 and 2024, the sector experienced a decline in productivity and a rise in labour costs.
In 2025, manufacturing sales reached $173 billion with a total employment of 317,000 people.
From 2026 to 2034, the food and beverage manufacturing industry will require 173,000 new workers.

Macro View

The requirement for 173,000 new workers reflects broader shifts in industrial labour needs as the sector attempts to balance growth against past productivity declines. This projected hiring surge mirrors historical challenges in maintaining output despite rising unit labour costs.

The high demand for new employees may influence regional job availability and could impact wage growth as businesses compete for a limited talent pool. Readers seeking employment in food production or supply chain management may see increased opportunities across the country.

The takeaway

The food and beverage sector remains a critical pillar of the Canadian economy with substantial long-term hiring needs. Workers and job seekers should monitor regional growth trends in Ontario and Alberta to capitalize on the upcoming labour demand.