Canada’s sugar industry has been a significant contributor to the Canadian economy since the early 1800s. The industry was founded on importing raw cane sugar for refining at Canada’s major ports and expanded to producing and processing sugar beets, principally in the prairie region. Since its inception, the industry has operated under world market conditions and continues to provide Canadians with a reliable supply of high quality, low cost refined sugar.

The Canadian sugar industry directly employs 1,500 Canadians in four provinces -- Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, and indirectly supports hundreds of sugar beet farmers in Alberta. Efficient sugar production has further contributed to the development of a vibrant, value-added food processing sector, indirectly supporting close to 100,000 Canadian jobs in sugar using manufacturing industries.

Related topics:

• Canadian Sugar Market
• History of the Industry
• Value to the Canadian Economy
• Industry Statistics