GTA Food and BeverageGTA Food and Beverage

By: Charles JacobsBy: Charles Jacobs

IntroductionIntroduction

Within Ontario, Toronto dominates the provincial food Within Ontario, Toronto dominates the provincial food industry with more than half of all the food processing in industry with more than half of all the food processing in the province, taking place within the GTA. the province, taking place within the GTA.

Introduction cont’dIntroduction cont’d

IIn 1999, 44,000 employees from the city were in a virtual n 1999, 44,000 employees from the city were in a virtual tie with Los Angeles for second place. tie with Los Angeles for second place.

In 2002, there were 50,000 people employed in In 2002, there were 50,000 people employed in Toronto’s food processing industry.Toronto’s food processing industry.

The GTA Food and Beverage Cluster has annual sales The GTA Food and Beverage Cluster has annual sales in excess of $17 billion.in excess of $17 billion.

Introduction cont’dIntroduction cont’d

Employment in this sector has increased at a rate of 5% Employment in this sector has increased at a rate of 5% per year. per year.

Within the next 10 years, employment growth rates are Within the next 10 years, employment growth rates are expected to double. expected to double.

In the Toronto CMA, there are over 2,000 food and In the Toronto CMA, there are over 2,000 food and beverage manufacturing establishments (2004).beverage manufacturing establishments (2004).

GTA Cluster MembersGTA Cluster Members

The Toronto Food and Beverage cluster includes The Toronto Food and Beverage cluster includes

Support StructuresSupport Structures

Guelph Food Technology CentreGuelph Food Technology Centre

The GFTC is an independent, industry-driven, non-profit The GFTC is an independent, industry-driven, non-profit organization. The organization is within a one-hour drive organization. The organization is within a one-hour drive of Toronto. They are constantly looking for cutting-edge of Toronto. They are constantly looking for cutting-edge solutions in food technology and are turning to the solutions in food technology and are turning to the Guelph Food Technology Centre (GFTC)Guelph Food Technology Centre (GFTC), which has , which has gained the reputation as one of North America's gained the reputation as one of North America's foremost research and consulting facilities.foremost research and consulting facilities.

Support Structures cont’dSupport Structures cont’d

Toronto Food Industry Advisory CommitteeToronto Food Industry Advisory Committee

This committee has been created to address the needs of the food This committee has been created to address the needs of the food industry within Toronto, and includes representatives from the city’s industry within Toronto, and includes representatives from the city’s food sector, and the three levels of government. food sector, and the three levels of government.

For more information, Click Here For more information, Click Here Food and Beverage Sector SpecialistFood and Beverage Sector Specialist

Marketing ActivitiesMarketing Activities

Agri-Food Trade Agri-Food Trade ServiceService

Trade shows offer a snapshot look at key trends affecting the food Trade shows offer a snapshot look at key trends affecting the food and beverage industry, both for new products available on the and beverage industry, both for new products available on the Canadian market and those set to emerge in the near future. Canadian market and those set to emerge in the near future. Typically two to three day events, ranging from 200 to 700 exhibitors Typically two to three day events, ranging from 200 to 700 exhibitors from Canada and around the world, highlight a wide range of new from Canada and around the world, highlight a wide range of new and innovative products. This is an excellent way to market within and innovative products. This is an excellent way to market within the GTA food and beverage cluster. the GTA food and beverage cluster.

NewsNews

The Toronto Wine & Cheese ShowThe Toronto Wine & Cheese Show is Canada’s the leading and is Canada’s the leading and largest show of its kind. In 2008, the show will have had their 25largest show of its kind. In 2008, the show will have had their 25 thth anniversary. The Toronto Wine & Cheese Show is known worldwide anniversary. The Toronto Wine & Cheese Show is known worldwide for its informative and refined selection of gourmet food and award-for its informative and refined selection of gourmet food and award-winning wines. It also features cuisine from renown restaurants, winning wines. It also features cuisine from renown restaurants, exciting seminars, beers, single malt whiskies, forthcoming vintages exciting seminars, beers, single malt whiskies, forthcoming vintages and industry-regarded wine and beer competitions. and industry-regarded wine and beer competitions.

Other Competing ClustersOther Competing Clusters

New ZealandNew Zealand

New Zealand’s development has always had bountiful resources. Food and New Zealand’s development has always had bountiful resources. Food and beverage processing has evolved into a vibrant industry sector. beverage processing has evolved into a vibrant industry sector.

Food and beverage processing is one of the larger industry sectors within Food and beverage processing is one of the larger industry sectors within the southern sector of Auckland. the southern sector of Auckland.

The sector employs over 5,460 in the southern sector of Auckland, over The sector employs over 5,460 in the southern sector of Auckland, over 73,500 in New Zealand with a growth rate of over 5% per year. 73,500 in New Zealand with a growth rate of over 5% per year.

More than half of the export earnings for New Zealand are generated from More than half of the export earnings for New Zealand are generated from this sector. The food and beverage industry is well serviced in the region this sector. The food and beverage industry is well serviced in the region with co-packing, logistic operations and many other support services. with co-packing, logistic operations and many other support services.

Thank You!Thank You!

Questions?Questions?