Sector Trend Analysis – Trade Overview – United States

Global trade overview of agri-food and seafood

In 2024, global agri-food and seafood imports reached Can$2,7 trillion, growing 5.4% annually since 2020. The U.S was the world's largest importer, accounting for Can$336.7 billion, growing 9.8% annually with a market share of 12.3%. After the U.S, China (10.8%), Germany (6.6%), and the Netherlands (4.4%) make up the largest agri-food and seafood import markets.

United States agri-food and seafood import market

In 2024, U.S agri-food and seafood imports reached Can$336.3 billion, growing 9.8% annually since 2020. Mexico was the top supplier, representing 20.5% of imports, and growing by 10.5% annually. Canada followed with 18.5% share and growing by 18.5%, followed by Italy (3.8%% share) and Brazil (3.5%).

Leading U.S import categories in 2024 were bakery products, beer, food preparations, and coffee. Bakery products, frozen been, beef, and canola oil saw sizable growth in sales, with most other catetogies increasing sales.

In 2024, Mexico, Canada, and Italy were the leading suppliers of agrifood and seafood products to the U.S, representing a combined 42.8% of total imports. Canada is the leading supplier of bakery products, beef, cattle, and canola oil to the U.S Caanda is also a major supplier to the U.S of food preparations, tomatoes, amd animal/vegetable fats.

Canada's performance

U.S agri-food and seafood imports from Canada totalled Can$62.3 billion in 2024, growing 12.8% annually since 2020. Most top ten imports from Canada have grown by double digits, with crude canola oil surging 72.5% annually since 2020, followed by processed potatoes (19.5%), bakery products (18.7%), cattle (18.7%), and caola oil (18.5%). U.S agri-food and seafood imports from Canada are well diversified with all categories having less than 10% market share.

Canada's agri-food and seafood exports to the U.S totaled Can$63.8 billion in 2024, growing 12.7% annually since 2020. Ontario is the leading provincial exporter to the U.S with a 39.1 % share of the market, followed by Alberta (14.4%), Quebec (14.2%), and Saskatchewan (9.2).

Bakery products are the largest export to the U.S, worth Can$5.7 billion, mainly from Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. Canola oil is the second largest export, worth Can$3.6 billion, mainly from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta. Beef is the third largest export, worth Can$2.8 billion, mainly from Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec.

Ontario is the largest agri-food and seafood exporter to the U.S, exporting as much as Alberta, Quebec, and Saskatchewan combined. Top exports from every province include bakery products, beef, chocolate, canola oil, lobster, french fries, and frozen crabs.

California is the largest importer of Canadian agri-food and seafood products, followed by Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, and other mainly northern states. Top imports include bakery products, beef, chocolate, canola oil, lobster, and french fries.

For more information

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Sector Trend Analysis – Trade Overview – United States
Global Analysis Report

Prepared by: Kris Clipsham, Market Analyst

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food (2025).

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