In 2025, carbonates in Canada remained under pressure. Off-trade volume continued to decline, returning to a contraction pattern after a brief improvement in 2024. Although overall inflation eased compared with the peak of 2022-2023, price levels for soft drinks stayed high, limiting any incentive for consumers to increase consumption. Carbonates is a mature category and had already been in volume decline prior to the pandemic; the post-pandemic cost shock further reinforced this long-term trend

RTD coffee saw retail volume sales contract further in 2025, extending the gradual decline already evident in 2024, while retail value growth slowed to a more modest rate. This marks a clear deceleration from the double-digit volume and value increases seen before the pandemic and through 2020. The period of unusually high food inflation in 2022, 2023 and the first half of 2024 significantly eroded purchasing power and pushed average unit prices higher across soft drinks. As headline inflation b

Soft drinks in Canada experienced a period of recalibration in 2025 as consumer behaviour continued to evolve in response to economic pressures, shifting demographic dynamics and increasingly complex health expectations. Retail volume demand softened gradually after the pandemic-era distortions, aligning more closely with modest population expansion and a more cautious approach to discretionary spending. At the same time, retail value remained supported by elevated price levels, ongoing cost pre

In 2025, the RTD tea category in Canada experienced a year of stabilisation rather than strong expansion. Off-trade volume growth slowed to a near standstill, extending the pattern of marginal gains that has characterised the post-pandemic period, while value growth moderated from the double-digit increases seen in 2022 and 2023. Although inflation eased in the second half of 2024 and into 2025, price levels across soft drinks remained elevated, which dampened consumers’ willingness to increase

In 2025, bottled water in Canada experienced largely stable demand, with off-trade volume remaining flat after several years of small fluctuations. While inflation began easing in the latter part of 2024 and into 2025, retail price points remained considerably higher than before the inflationary spike of 2022-2023. This limited the potential for a meaningful rebound in household purchasing and kept overall volume stable rather than expanding. Bottled water had enjoyed moderate volume growth for

In 2025, concentrates in Canada continued to gain traction as inflation-weary consumers looked for more economical ways to enjoy soft drinks at home. Off-trade RTD volume sales increased, with powder concentrates in particular sustaining robust momentum. Even as headline inflation eased from the peak levels seen in 2022 and 2023, overall price levels for packaged beverages remained high, prompting many households to reassess their spending on ready-to-drink options. Concentrates benefited from t

In 2025, energy drinks, covering both regular and reduced sugar variants, continued to record healthy off-trade growth in Canada. Volume expansion accelerated again after a relatively softer performance in 2024, and remained comfortably ahead of population growth. Unlike many other packaged food and beverage categories, energy drinks were less affected by the unusually high inflation seen across 2023 and much of 2024, although average unit prices did edge higher. As overall inflation began to sl

In 2025, the juice category in Canada continued to experience structural declines in consumption. Off-trade volume contracted once again, extending the downward trend seen since 2022, while value growth moderated after the pronounced inflation-driven surge of 2022-2023. Even though inflation eased through late 2024 and into 2025, retail prices remained elevated, offering little incentive for consumers to return to previous purchasing levels. Cost pressures linked to key agricultural commodities,

In 2025, sports drinks in Canada began to stabilise after several challenging years, but category performance remained constrained. Off-trade volume was broadly flat, representing an improvement on the declines recorded in 2023 and 2024, while value growth moderated from the exceptionally strong gains seen in 2022-2023 at the height of the inflationary spike. Although headline inflation eased through the second half of 2024 and into 2025, shelf prices for sports drinks remained noticeably higher

Retail sales of baked goods remain in a small negative slump in both value and volume terms in Canada in 2025. While inflationary pressures are easing, prices remain high in many cases and consumers continue to display a degree of price sensitivity. Therefore, in line with the overall category of staple foods, baked goods has not yet rebounded to stronger sales.

Value sales of breakfast cereals are achieving marginal positive growth in Canada in 2025, in a slight improvement compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, volume sales remain in a small negative slump, slightly down from the previous year.

Sales of rice, pasta and noodles are seeing a positive performance in Canada in 2025, with value growth slightly up from that seen in 2024, and volume growth fairly steady although seeing a sub-decimal decline. This indicates stable baseline demand for products in the category.

Sales of processed fruit and vegetables are seeing a positive performance in both value and volume terms in Canada in 2025, reflecting stable baseline demand. Sales have also improved slightly compared to growth rates seen in 2024, which indicates recovering consumer purchasing power related to these products, as inflationary pressures ease. This is attributed to the fact that prices in processed fruit and vegetables tend to be lower than seen in some other categories in staple foods, along with

Retail value sales of staple foods in Canada are seeing low positive growth in 2025, in a slight improvement on the previous year, and with volume remaining in sub-decimal positive growth. This performance indicates relatively stable baseline demand, coupled with ongoing inflationary pressures and various challenges which are suppressing potentially stronger growth.

Retail value sales of processed meat, seafood, and alternatives to meat are seeing a positive performance in Canada in 2025, at a similar rate of growth as seen the previous year. Volume sales also remain marginally positive, again at a similar level as seen in 2024. This indicates stable baseline demand for processed meat, seafood, and substitutes to meat. Within this, meat and seafood substitutes is seeing the strongest growth in both value and volume terms, with processed meat performing seco

In 2025, other hot drinks in Canada—dominated by chocolate-based flavoured powders—continued to decline in retail volume, extending a trend that began before the pandemic. Elevated prices following years of high inflation offered little incentive for increased consumption, while health concerns, particularly around sugar, further constrained demand. Brands responded with reformulations featuring organic ingredients, natural sweeteners, and added nutrients, but these efforts only slowed the pace

Retail volume sales of coffee in Canada declined again in 2025, continuing the trend from 2024, while value sales rose due to persistently high prices. Inflationary pressures from 2022–2024 eased but remained elevated, limiting consumption growth. Instant coffee retained a strong value share due to affordability and convenience, yet younger consumers and coffee enthusiasts favoured premium fresh coffee, including single-origin and organic beans, keeping demand above pre-pandemic levels. Supermar

In 2025, hot drinks in Canada recorded a modest decline in retail volumes for the third consecutive year, while value sales grew at a slower pace than the inflation-driven peaks of 2022–2023. Elevated prices persisted despite easing inflation, fuelled by volatile commodity costs linked to climate change and tariffs. Weak economic conditions, low population growth, and cautious spending further constrained demand, with consumers prioritising value and necessity over indulgence. Health-conscious b

Retail volume sales of tea in Canada contracted marginally in 2025, continuing the downward trend but improving on the sharper decline seen in 2023. Elevated prices, following years of high inflation, limited consumption growth, with black tea—the largest segment—falling below pre-pandemic levels due to its mature positioning and lack of innovation. Younger consumers mirrored coffee trends, favouring premium and artisanal teas over quantity, while the rising popularity of cold beverages spurred

Sauces, dips and condiments registered moderate current value growth in 2025, an increase from the previous year. Dips performed notably well. Volume sales also increased modestly. Immigration and home cooking are key trends driving industry performance, while Gen Z is driving demand for global, especially spicy, flavours.

Edible oils saw modest volume growth in 2025, but current value sales declined. Volume growth was partially attributable to changing demographics as immigration levels expand the local consumer base. Sunflower oil continued to benefit from ongoing price consciousness as it is regarded as a relatively healthy edible oil but less expensive than olive oil.

Sweet spreads registers limited current value growth, but more robust volume growth in 2025. Inflation continued to impact average unit prices, driving value sales but dampening demand. Chocolate spreads suffered from both soaring cocoa prices and the ongoing health and wellness trend in Canada. The latter, however, benefited honey, which is regarded as a more healthy natural sweetener.

Current value sales of cooking ingredients and meals remained stable in 2025. Although some categories saw flat or declining volume sales, there was an improvement on recent years. The primary driver of this was strong population growth through immigration. Reacting to diversifying consumer demographics and evolving lifestyle preferences, manufacturers experimented with a wide range of flavours and product types. Meanwhile, slowing inflation helped stabilise prices and boosted volume growth as c

Meals and soups registered moderate current value growth in 2025, but retail volume sales declined. However, total volume sales were boosted by the steady performance of foodservice. In response to ongoing price consciousness among the local population, players expanded their offerings across price points. Global flavours also trended, while subscription models gained popularity.