Packaging in 2025: the big picture
Canada's packaging market in 2025 was shaped by cost-of-living restraint, moderating consumption and an intensifying regulatory push towards recyclability and recycled content. Volumes were broadly flat to modestly higher across most consumer goods industries, with growth concentrated in premium, convenience-led and sustainable formats rather than in headline unit gains. Soft drinks packaging, the largest beverage pool, edged up by just 0.3% to 12.4 billion units, while alcoholic drinks packaging fell by 3% to 6 billion units as alcohol consumption hit a 20-year low. Beauty and personal care held broadly steady at 1.8 billion units, home care eased to 605 million units, and dog and cat food rose by 2% to 1 billion units. Within food, dairy, the country's largest packaged food category, saw total packaging retail volumes advance by 2% to 6.7 billion units.
2025 key trends
Premiumisation continued to influence packaging well beyond traditional luxury categories. Glass and metal were increasingly used beyond their traditional beverage categories, moving into areas such as sparkling water, craft carbonates, confectionery gifting tins and speciality dairy. This signalled a willingness among consumers to pay more for formats that communicate both quality and recyclability. Cost management and convenience drove a second clear trend. Persistent inflation, cocoa price spikes and tariff-induced input costs prompted shrinkflation, smaller single-serve packs and value multipacks across confectionery, meals and soups, and sauces. At the same time, busier, smaller households sustained demand for resealable pouches, thin wall microwaveable tubs and portion-controlled formats.
Plastic still anchors food packaging as fibre and recycled content advance
Food remained Canada's most material-diverse packaging arena in 2025, and while rigid and flexible plastic still dominated by volume, the year's momentum belonged to fibre and premium materials. Dairy, the largest category, grew by 2% to 6.7 billion units, with rigid plastic holding a 64% share on thin wall pots for yoghurt and spreads even as glass surged on speciality lines. Cabot's switch to post-consumer recycled film for its cheese bars, which cut fossil-fuel emissions by 23% and water use by 19% per bar, and Danone Canada's 30% recycled-PET yoghurt cups at its Boucherville plant typified the circular shift.
Glass and recycled content redefine soft drinks packaging
Innovation and premium positioning set the pace in soft drinks, where total packaging volumes were broadly stable in 2025, edging up by 0.3% to 12.4 billion units as cost-of-living pressure restrained consumption. Rigid plastic, overwhelmingly PET bottles, remained the dominant format, but lost a little ground, while metal beverage cans also eased. The clear momentum sat with glass, which advanced 11% to 1.1 billion units on premiumisation in sparkling water and craft carbonates, where the material signals quality and offers infinite recyclability.
Resilient cans anchor a moderating alcoholic drinks market
Shifts in drinking culture reshaped alcoholic drinks packaging, where total volumes fell by 3% to 6 billion units in 2025 as moderation weighed on beer, wine and spirits. Statistics Canada reported the largest annual drop in alcohol sales in two decades, with Canadians buying around eight drinks per week in the year to March 2025, down from 9 a year earlier, and younger, more health-conscious consumers driving the shift. Metal beverage cans remained dominant, almost entirely aluminium cans used in beer, cider, coolers and ready-to-drink cocktails. Glass fell as wine and spirits softened, while flexible packaging and liquid cartons declined from small bases. Bag-in-box remained a niche but durable format for everyday wine, supported by its lightness and lower transport emissions.
Recycled content and metal lift sustainable beauty packaging
Maturity, minimalism and sustainability set the tone for beauty and personal care packaging in 2025, with total volumes broadly flat at 1.8 billion units as steady demand for skin care, hair care and hygiene was offset by lightweighting and low-waste routines. Rigid plastic remained dominant, reflecting the ubiquity of squeezable plastic tubes in skin care, and HDPE bottles in hair and body care, and the prominence of PET bottles. The year's most dynamic formats were premium and recyclable ones. Metal was the best-performing pack type on aerosol cans for deodorants and hair care and collapsible metal tubes.
Refills and recycled content power the future of home care
Concentration, tablets and refill ecosystems continued to redefine home care packaging, where total volumes edged down by 1% to 605 million units in 2025 in a saturated market. Rigid plastic remained dominant, anchored by HDPE bottles across laundry, bleach and surface care and by PET bottles. Paper-based containers, almost entirely folding cartons for laundry and dishwasher tablets and pods, was the strongest performing pack type.
Premiumisation and sustainability reshape pet food packaging
Dog and cat food packaging grew by 2% to 1 billion units in 2025, driven by rising pet ownership, strong consumer spending and growing demand for premium specialised diets that require more packaging units. Convenience trends strengthened demand for portion-controlled formats such as single-serve pouches for wet food and resealable bags for dry kibble, while premium brands increasingly used smaller packs and multi-layer designs to maintain freshness and signal quality.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Packaging industry in Canada with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to a comprehensive range of packaging types.
If you're in the Packaging industry in Canada, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Packaging in Canada report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Packaging in Canada?
- Which are the major pack types and how are they performing in Canada?
- Have there been any packaging legislative changes in the past 12 months?
- How are consumption trends impacting the packaging landscape?
- What are the key trends and latest product developments in packaging?
- How important are sustainability and recycling to consumers in Canada?
- Where is future growth expected to be most significant?
Packaging Industry in Canada
Packaging in 2025: the big picture
2025 key trends
Plastic still anchors food packaging as fibre and recycled content advance
Glass and recycled content redefine soft drinks packaging
Resilient cans anchor a moderating alcoholic drinks market
Recycled content and metal lift sustainable beauty packaging
Refills and recycled content power the future of home care
Premiumisation and sustainability reshape pet food packaging
A tightening federal framework drives recycled content, recyclability and transparent labelling
Provincial EPR and deposit-return systems fund collection and reward recyclable design
Material innovation tackles the recyclability gap in flexible plastics
Country Reports Disclaimer
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Packaging
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- Baby and Child-specific Products Packaging
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- Bar Soap
- Bath Additives
- Body Powder
- Body Wash/Shower Gel
- Hand Sanitisers
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- Intimate Washes
- Intimate Wipes
- Liquid Soap
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- Eye Liner/Pencil
- Eye Shadow
- Mascara
- Other Lash and Brow Make-Up
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- BB/CC Creams
- Blusher/Bronzer/Highlighter
- Foundation/Concealer
- Powder
- Other Facial Make-Up
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- Lip Gloss
- Lip Liner/Pencil
- Lipstick
- Other Lip Products
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- Nail Polish
- Nail Treatments/Strengthener
- Polish Remover
- Other Nail Products
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- Deodorant Creams
- Deodorant Pumps
- Deodorant Roll-Ons
- Deodorant Sprays
- Deodorant Sticks
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- Hair Removers/Bleaches
- Women's Pre-Shave
- Women's Razors and Blades
- Fragrances Packaging
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- 2-in-1 Products
- Colourants
- Conditioners and Treatments
- Perms and Relaxants
- Salon Professional Hair Care
- Standard Shampoos
- Styling Agents
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- Men's Post-Shave
- Men's Pre-Shave
- Men's Razors and Blades
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- Men's Bath and Shower
- Men's Deodorants
- Men's Hair Care
- Men's Skin Care
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- Dental Floss
- Denture Care
- Mouth Fresheners
- Mouthwashes/Dental Rinses
- Tooth Whiteners
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
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- Body Care
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- Face Masks
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- Liquid/Cream/Gel/Bar Cleansers
- Facial Cleansing Wipes
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- Basic Moisturisers
- Anti-Agers
- Lip Care
- Toners
- Hand Care
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- Adult Sun Care
- Baby and Child-specific Sun Care
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- Dark Beer
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- Flavoured/Mixed Lager
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- Domestic Lager
- Imported Lager
- Non/Low Alcohol Beer
- Stout
- Cider/Perry
- RTDs
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- Brandy and Cognac
- Liqueurs
- Rum
- Tequila (and Mezcal)
- Whiskies
- White Spirits
- Other Spirits
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- Fortified Wine and Vermouth
- Non-Grape Wine
- Sparkling Wine
- Still Light Grape Wine
- Non Alcoholic Wine
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- Fresh Coffee Beans
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- Fresh Ground Coffee Pods
- Standard Fresh Ground Coffee
- Instant Coffee
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- Black Tea
- Green Tea
- Fruit/Herbal Tea
- Instant Tea
- Other Tea
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- Flavoured Powder Drinks
- Other Plant-based Hot Drinks
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- Asian Speciality Drinks
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- Carbonated Bottled Water
- Flavoured Bottled Water
- Functional Bottled Water
- Still Bottled Water
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- Cola Carbonates
- Non-Cola Carbonates
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- Liquid Concentrates
- Powder Concentrates
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- 100% Juice
- Juice Drinks (up to 24% Juice)
- Nectars
- Coconut and Other Plant Waters
- Energy Drinks
- Sports Drinks
- RTD Coffee
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- Carbonated RTD Tea and Kombucha
- Still RTD Tea
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- Cat Treats and Mixers
- Dry Cat Food
- Wet Cat Food
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- Dog Treats and Mixers
- Dry Dog Food
- Wet Dog Food
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- Dried Baby Food
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- Liquid Milk Formula
- Powder Milk Formula
- Prepared Baby Food
- Other Baby Food
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- Dessert Mixes
- Frozen Baked Goods
- Packaged Bread
- Packaged Cakes
- Packaged Pastries
- Dessert Pies and Tarts
- Breakfast Cereals Packaging
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- Chocolate Pouches and Bags
- Boxed Assortments
- Chocolate with Toys
- Countlines
- Seasonal Chocolate
- Tablets
- Other Chocolate Confectionery
- Gum
- Sugar Confectionery
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- Butter and Spreads
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- Processed Cheese
- Packaged Hard Cheese
- Soft Cheese
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- Flavoured Milk Drinks
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- Fresh Milk
- Shelf Stable Milk
- Goat Milk
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- Powder Milk
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- Sour Milk Products
- Yoghurt
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- Chilled and Shelf Stable Desserts
- Chilled Snacks
- Coffee Whiteners
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- Condensed Milk
- Cream
- Fromage Frais and Quark
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- Plant-based Milk
- Plant-based Yoghurt
- Plant-based Cheese
- Edible Oils Packaging
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- Frozen Yoghurt
- Impulse Ice Cream
- Plant-based Ice Cream
- Take-Home Ice Cream
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- Frozen Fruit
- Frozen Processed Potatoes
- Frozen Processed Vegetables
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- Shelf Stable Beans
- Shelf Stable Fruit
- Shelf Stable Tomatoes
- Shelf Stable Vegetables
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- Chilled Processed Meat
- Frozen Processed Meat
- Shelf Stable Meat
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- Chilled Processed Seafood
- Frozen Processed Seafood
- Shelf Stable Seafood
- Meat and Seafood Substitutes inc Tofu
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- Dried Ready Meals
- Shelf Stable Ready Meals
- Chilled Ready Meals
- Frozen Ready Meals
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- Chilled Pizza
- Frozen Pizza
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- Meal Kits
- Quick Recipe Kits
- Chilled Lunch Kits
- Prepared Salads
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- Dry Soup
- Shelf Stable Soup
- Chilled Soup
- Frozen Soup
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- Noodles
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- Chilled Pasta
- Dried Pasta
- Rice
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- Bouillon
- Gravy Cubes, Powders and Pots
- Herbs and Spices
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Tomato Pastes and Purées
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- Liquid Recipe Sauces (excl pasta sauces)
- Dry Recipe Sauces
- Pasta Sauces
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- Barbecue Sauces
- Chili Sauces
- Fish Sauces
- Ketchup
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Oyster Sauces
- Salad Dressings
- Soy Sauces
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- Dips
- Pickled Products
- Other Sauces and Condiments
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- Nuts, Seeds and Trail Mixes
- Popcorn
- Pretzels
- Salty Snacks
- Savoury Biscuits
- Meat Snacks
- Seafood Snacks
- Other Savoury Snacks
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- Chocolate Spreads
- Honey
- Jams and Preserves
- Nut and Seed Based Spreads
- Yeast-based Spreads
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- Fruit Snacks
- Snack Bars
- Sweet Biscuits
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- Candle Air Fresheners
- Car Air Fresheners
- Electric Air Fresheners
- Gel Air Fresheners
- Liquid Air Fresheners
- Spray/Aerosol Air Fresheners
- Other Air Care
- Bleach
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- Automatic Dishwashing Liquids
- Automatic Dishwashing Powders
- Automatic Dishwashing Tablets
- Dishwashing Additives
- Hand Dishwashing
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- Electric Insecticides
- Insecticide Baits
- Insecticide Coils
- Spray/Aerosol Insecticides
- Other Home Insecticides
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- Carpet Cleaners
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- Dryer Sheets
- Liquid Fabric Softeners
- Laundry Aids
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- Powder Detergents
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- Compact Powder Tablet Detergents
- Liquid Tablet Detergents
- Liquid Detergents
- Other Detergents
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- Floor Polish
- Furniture Polish
- Metal Polish
- Shoe Polish
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- Cleaning Solution
- Starter Kits/Sweepers/Sticks (Excluding Wipes)
- Wipes (Excluding Starter Kits/Sweepers/Sticks)
- Bathroom Cleaners
- Descalers
- Drain Openers
- Floor Cleaners
- Home Care Disinfectants
- Kitchen Cleaners
- Multi-Purpose Cleaners
- Oven Cleaners
- Scouring Agents
- Window/Glass Cleaners
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- In-Cistern Devices
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- Rim Blocks
- Rim Liquids
- Toilet Care Tablets/Powders
- Toilet Cleaning Systems
- Toilet Liquids/Foam
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This report originates from Passport, our Packaging research and analysis database.
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