2016 Total Packaging Market Size (million units):

46,488

2011-16 Total Packaging Historic CAGR:

0.6%

2016-21 Total Packaging Forecast CAGR:

0.9%

• The total Canadian package industry, sized at 46,488 units, is expected to grow 0.9% during the forecast period.
• Food and beverage packaging continues to dominate packaging.
• Flexible plastic leads in size and growth rate, but rigid packaging ranks second

• Younger generations tend to snack frequently on the go, at work, and while studying.
• Sharing, convenience, easy to reseal, and portion control lead to variety in size and growth potential for plastic pouches, which remain popular across categories.
• Pack sizes are expected to remain split between smaller, convenient containers and larger, more economical packages across categories.
• Convenience remains a key element for Canadians, reflected in packaging formats and shopping outlets. In 2015, pet superstores, supermarkets and hypermarkets remained the leading retail channels with 24%, 22% and 19% value shares, respectively.

• The Government Shelves De-regulation of Food Packaging Regulation food packaging sizes will be lifted. Food products manufactured and marketed in Canada will not lneed to be packaged and sorted into designated sizes in terms of weight or volume. A wide range of products, from honey to baby food will be impacted.
• Evolving Requirements on Product Labelling In July 2014, the Canadian government introduced plain language labelling regulations and finalized requirements for labelling Halal food products. As part of continuous improvement, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) wishes to support industry compliance and introduced a web-based Industry Labelling Tool in 2014 offering clear guidance on the federal labelling.

• Environmental and health concerns remain a source of uncertainty for packaging choices in soft drinks. In February 2016, a proposal to ban plastic bottled water was brought forth in Montreal and Quebec. Over 80 towns and cities in Canada have set limits, including Toronto.  
• Wider Acceptance of Recycling Programs  Multi-Material British Columbia (MMBC), a non-profit established as part of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs provides collection services to residents of British Columbia, to increase the access to collection services.
• Packaging Plays Instrumental Role in Food Waste  Portion-controlled packaging and informative labelling help consumers stay rationale in food purchases and innovations extend shelf life.

• In Dog and Cat Food category, terms such as “organic”, “natural” and “biologically appropriate” are likely to become increasingly prominent on packaging labels and in advertising.  
• The use of clear containers remained popular for beauty and personal care brands looking to emphasize the clarity or a specific product feature of products.
• Packaging innovation in home care is seen in squeezable PET bottles with three holes allowing customers to squeeze the bottle and smell the scent and including a dosing cap, often used in food products, but innovative in home care.  Child-resistant packaging for detergent tablets or pods in laundry care and dishwashing also gained popularity.  
• Unique and interesting packaging, often used by niche players to differentiate from major brands and provide incentives for trial and repeat purchases. Glass bottle packaging, which caters to nostalgia, is becoming an attraction among consumers who are collecting the bottles and buying lids as collectors’ items from the company website.
• There appears to be an increase in the use of marketing messages on sauce, dressings and condiments packaging to push Canadian origins as a key selling feature on product packaging.  Also an effort communicate the latest trends in health and wellness such as using labels to highlight high-quality ingredients, food origin, and how the product is sourced and produced.