Canada Baby Food Market Research Report: Forecast (2024-2030)

Market Definition

Baby food products are specially manufactured to meet the nutritional requirements of babies and come in different varieties & flavors. The emerging health & wellness trends and the growing interest of parents in child nutrition are boosting the sale of baby food products in Canada.

Market Insights & Analysis: Canada Baby Food Market (2024-30):

The Canada Baby Food Market size is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 2.02% during the forecast period, i.e., 2024-30. The major drivers for the growth of the Canada Baby Food Market include increasing awareness about the importance of proper nutrition in infants and young children, growing demand for organic and natural baby food products, surging working women population, and rising disposable income. Parents in Canada are becoming more health-conscious and are looking for baby food products that are nutritious and healthy for their infants and young children. They are seeking baby food products that contain natural and organic ingredients, are free from additives, and provide the necessary vitamins and minerals to support their child's growth and development.

This surging health and wellness trend among parents has led to increased awareness about the need for proper nutrition among children which subsequently has catalyzed the market growth. In addition to this, the rise of social media and access to information has made it easier for parents in Canada to access information about the nutritional value of different baby food products. This has led to increased awareness about the importance of proper nutrition in infants and young children and has resulted in a shift towards healthier food choices that have uplifted the sales of natural and organic baby food products.

Similarly, the rising disposable income is also one of the major factors that have augmented the market growth. The rising disposable income has led to changes in consumer behavior, with more parents opting for convenient and time-saving baby food products. This has led to an increase in demand for packaged baby food products, that come in pouches and jars, which are easy to store, transport, and use. Moreover, with the rise in disposable income parents are more willing and able to spend money on high-quality and nutritious food products for their babies.

Owing to this, manufacturers are now focusing on the premiumization of their products by adding new and innovative ingredients and investing in marketing campaigns to target parents with higher disposable incomes. Canada's economy is forecasted to continue growing in the coming years, which is expected to result in higher wages and increased job opportunities. This is likely to contribute to the increase in disposable income for many Canadians. Thus, the increase in disposable income in Canada is expected to continue in the coming years, which could lead to an increase in demand for premium and organic baby food products during the forecast period.

Canada Baby Food Market Driver:

Rapidly Growing Working Women Population – In Canada, the participation of women in the labor force has gradually increased during the last few decades. The baby food market has witnessed significant growth during the historical period. The women workforce in the country includes a large number of working mothers and these mothers have very limited time to feed their babies owing to which they use baby food products to supplement the nutritional needs of their children.

According to the Canadian government, in 2021 about 80% of Canadian-born women with a bachelor's degree or higher were employed full-time, 73% of long-term immigrant women, and 62% of recent immigrant women also had full-time employment. The Canadian government approved 26 new projects for funding the Women’s Employment Readiness pilot program. These government initiatives would enhance the number of working mothers in the country, boosting the retail sales of food products during the forecast period as working women have comparatively less time to prepare homemade baby food.

Canada Baby Food Market Opportunity:

Government Plans to Boost Imports of Infant Formulas – Most of the infant formula in the country comes from the US, and the closure of the Abbott facility in 2022 in the US resulted in a shortage of formula options for infants especially those with food allergies. Owing to this shortage the government has introduced an interim policy for the importation and sale of infant formulas. This policy intends to import baby food products that fully meet Canadian labeling and composition requirements. The plans to enhance the import of baby food products would allow for a wider range of international baby food brands to be available in the Canadian market. This would provide opportunities for existing baby food companies to expand their product offerings and for new players to weave their distribution channels in the country.

Canada Baby Food Market Challenge:

Low Birth Rate in the Country – The decreasing birth rate in the country poses a significant challenge in front of market players as the diminishing birth rates are resulting in a reduction of potential consumers.  Canada is among late-childbearing countries as individuals in the country are putting off parenthood due to their desire to grow as individuals, and desire to save money. This has resulted in a significant drop in fertility rates in the country, as of 2020, the fertility rate dropped from 1.47 children per woman in 2019 to a record low of 1.40 children per woman.

In the Canadian Social survey conducted in 2021 by the National Statistical Office, it was observed that three in ten persons aged 25 to 34 wanted to have fewer children. Owing to these factors the number of live births in Canada in 2021 was just 367,684 which is significantly low in terms of other countries. Thus, the declining birth rates in the country would decrease the number of new-born babies in the country which consequently is expected to affect the sales of baby food products during the forecast period.

Canada Baby Food Market Trend:

Rising Prevalence of Organic and Plant-based Baby Food Products – The strong move amongst parents toward purchasing organic and plant-based products for their babies is creating a new tide in the Canada Baby Food Market. As seen across categories in food and beverages, plant-based products have seen tremendous growth in demand, and baby food is no exception. The rising preference for these organic baby foods has resulted in high demand for Gourmet’s plant-based puffed snacks like tomato basil slices and carrot sticks. The surging demand for organic baby food is resulting in the entrance of new players in the market.

In 2022, one of the pioneers in plant-based baby food, Else Nutrition, announced that it would roll out its “100% plant-based, non-soy” baby food in Canada, including milk formula and other baby food. Other new players are also eyeing Canada for growth as Canadians are among the early adopters of plant-based food. Moreover, as the trend of organic food products is expected to continue, more such new entrants are expected in the forecast period, as a result, Canada Baby Food Market is expected to flourish in the coming years.

Canada Baby Food Market (2024-30): Segmentation Analysis

The Canada Baby Food Market study of MarkNtel Advisors evaluates & highlights the major trends and influencing factors in each segment. It includes predictions for the period 2024–2030 at the national level. According to the analysis, the market has been further classified as:

Based on Food Category:

• Milk Formula
• Prepared Baby Food
• Dried Baby Food
• Other Baby Food

Prepared baby food products have witnessed considerable growth during the historical years due to their huge demand owing to the surge in the number of working parents. The prepared baby food products like Jarred baby food, pouch baby food, etc., are mainly introduced to babies when they can hold their heads up and sit on their own then they are usually ready for solid foods. However, in countries like Canada where most women are working, they do not have enough time to prepare solid baby food due to which they are heavily dependent on prepared baby food products.

These products are lumpier in texture which helps the baby to get used to chewing larger pieces in his mouth. Therefore, parents usually prefer to use these products when their babies are ready for the transition to solid food. These products are formulated to provide a balanced and nutritious diet for infants and young children and are often fortified with vitamins and minerals to support healthy growth and development.

Moreover, they come in a variety of flavors and textures, offering parents a range of options to introduce new foods and flavors to their babies. The features of the prepared baby food products are increasing the consumer preference towards it owing to which the demand for these products is expected to stable during the forecast period.

Based on the Distribution Channel:

• Offline
  • Grocery Retailer
    • Convenience Retailer
      • Convenience Store
      • Forecourt Retailer
    • Supermarket
    • Hypermarket
    • Discounter
    • Warehouse Club
    • Small Local Grocer
  • Non-Grocery Retailer
    • General Merchandise Store
    • Health and Beauty Specialist
• Online

Grocery retailers like supermarkets & hypermarkets remain the main sales channels through which consumers purchase baby food products. These stores have an extensive distribution network across Canada due to the presence of retail chains like Loblaw, Metro, & Sobeys, which allows baby food manufacturers to reach a large number of customers and increase the availability of baby food products in different regions of the country.

Moreover, supermarkets & hypermarkets are located in convenient & accessible locations, making it easy for parents to purchase baby food products. Due to this, it is more convenient for parents to purchase baby food products while shopping for other household items. Furthermore, these super & hypermarkets offer competitive pricing on baby food products, which has made them more affordable for parents. It has pushed the demand for baby food products and has supported the growth of the Canada Baby Food Market.

However, sales through online channels are also witnessing considerable growth due to the convenience they offer. Compared to physical stores, online stores provide a wider selection of baby food products, which has made it easier for parents to find the specific brands and flavors they are looking for. Additionally, parents can purchase baby food products from the comfort of their homes without having to travel to a physical store. Hence, sales through online platforms are expected to surge significantly in the coming years and, in turn, benefit the overall market growth.

Canada Baby Food Industry Recent Development:

• In 2022, Nestlé announced the sale of the Good Start® infant formula brand in Canada and the U.S. to Perrigo Company. According to Nestle, the sale of the Good Start brand to Perrigo helps create a stronger business that is well-positioned to continue serving parents & caregivers.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our Canada Baby Food Market Report

1. Canada Baby Food Market Report by MarkNtel Advisors provides a detailed & thorough analysis of market size & share, growth rate, competitive landscape, and key players. This comprehensive analysis helps business organizations to gain a holistic understanding of the market dynamics & make informed decisions.
2. This report also highlights current market trends & future projections, allowing business organizations to identify emerging opportunities & potential challenges. By understanding market forecasts, companies can align their strategies & stay ahead of the competition.
3. Canada Baby Food Market Report aids in assessing & mitigating risks associated with entering or operating in the market. By understanding market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and potential challenges, business organizations can develop strategies to minimize risks & optimize their operations.