Consumption

Healthier eating remains the dominant trend in the Canadian food industry with emphasis on lower fat and lower calorie products with nutritional benefits. Canadian consumers seek foods with health benefits that taste good. Yogurt and specialty cheeses continue to capitalize on these demands,  showing strong growth in 2010, while demand for processed cheese and ice cream continues to decline.

Per capita consumption of dairy products

Milk

Sales of fluid milk increased slightly from 2010 to 2011 to reach almost 2.8 billion litres. With sales of 1.3 billion litres, 2% milk remains the most popular drinking milk in Canada, but chocolate milk shows the strongest growth, with sales increasing form 196 million litres in 2010 to 209 million litres in 2011. One also notes that sales of 2% and 1% milk are on the rise, while those of 3.25% and skim milk remain stable. From 2010 to 2011, cream sales increased significantly, from 281 to 303 million litres.

Per capita consumption of milk and cream
Fluid Milk Sales
Cream Sales

Cheese

Recession caused a slowdown in the growth of the Canadian cheese market, but growth is returning and consumers are splurging a little more on luxuries such as fine cheeses. From 2005 to 2010, average cheese consumption per capita has grown from 12.04 kg to 12.66 kg, with most of the growth in the cheddar and fine cheese categories, and a decline in the cottage and processed cheese categories. This is consistent with consumer trends which favour more flavourful and less processed foods. The industry also tries to cater to immigrant consumers. Paneer cheese, for example, is very popular with the East Indian community and such products sell well in urban Canadian centres with large immigrant populations.

Per capita consumption of cheese

Butter

From 2005 to 2010, per capita butter consumption has decreased from 3.15 kg to 2.64 kg, most likely because consumers try to limit their intake of dairy fat and are learning to use various oils in their cooking.

Per capita consumption of butter

Yogurt

Yogurt consumption has been steadily increasing over the past twenty years. From 2005 to 2010, average yogurt consumption grew by 22%, passing from 6.77 litres to 8.28 litres per capita. Functional and fortified yogurt remains one of the most dynamic dairy segments in Canada due to consumers' growing demand for ingredients such as probiotics. Drinkable yogurt is also becoming increasingly popular among Canadians on the go.¹

Per capita consumption of yogourt

Ice Cream

From 2005 to 2010, ice cream consumption has fallen from from 9.85 litres to 5.50 litres per capita in Canada. While volumes are decreasing, unit prices are increasing as manufacturers are shifting towards more premium items.²

Per capita consumption of ice cream

1. Euromonitor. Yoghurt and Sour Milk Drinks in Canada. October 2011, p. 2
2. Euromonitor. Ice Cream in Canada. October 2011, p.1