Food Sector in Newfoundland and Labrador Faces Severe Labor Shortage

A report published by Food Processing Skills Canada outlines the challenges facing Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing sector. The outlook suggests the industry will require more than 170,000 new hires between 2026 and 2034. The challenges are particularly acute in Newfoundland and Labrador, which must find 4,950 new workers to replace 76.2 per cent of its current food and beverage manufacturing workforce.

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador is contending with significant demographic challenges, including only 9.5 per cent of its workforce being under 25. The sector also faces the challenge of low immigration, which accounted for only 1 per cent of the food and beverage manufacturing workforce in 2021.