Research
November 26, 2024
Overview of Food and Beverage Commodity Imports from Canada, Mexico and China
President-elect Trump has stated a desire to impose tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China—the U.S.’s top three trading partners—in recent comments. To understand the impact this could have on the restaurant and foodservice operators, it is important to see what food and beverage products are imported from each of these markets. This post outlines the value of imported commodities from each market in 2023, based on U.S. Customs data, according to the USA Trade Online resource.
It is important to note that these values represent total imports into the U.S., and not necessarily the amount being utilized by restaurant operators. With that said, these figures provide an understanding of the items being sourced from each of these markets, which can be helpful as businesses assess possible tariff impacts.
Canada
The total flow of commodity imports coming from Canada in 2023 was $418.6B, according to USA Trade Outline. The bulk of that amount is from petroleum-based commodities and from the motor vehicle and aircraft sectors. Aluminum, gold and lumber are also high on this list.
In terms of food and beverage commodities that might be utilized in restaurants and foodservice businesses, the top 15 categories in 2023 were:
Mexico
The total flow of commodity imports coming from Mexico in 2023 was $475.2B. The bulk of that amount came from appliances, electronics and motor vehicles. Beer and medical equipment were also important, with the former topping the food and beverage commodities imports list below.
In terms of food and beverage commodities that might be utilized in restaurants and foodservice businesses, the top 15 categories in 2023 were:
China
The total flow of commodity imports coming from China in 2023 was $426.9B. The bulk of that amount came from electronics, furniture and motor vehicle parts. Apparel, medical equipment, plastics, small appliances and tableware were also high on this list.
In terms of food and beverage commodities that might be utilized in restaurants and foodservice businesses, the top 15 categories in 2023 were:
It is important to note that these values represent total imports into the U.S., and not necessarily the amount being utilized by restaurant operators. With that said, these figures provide an understanding of the items being sourced from each of these markets, which can be helpful as businesses assess possible tariff impacts.
Canada
The total flow of commodity imports coming from Canada in 2023 was $418.6B, according to USA Trade Outline. The bulk of that amount is from petroleum-based commodities and from the motor vehicle and aircraft sectors. Aluminum, gold and lumber are also high on this list.
In terms of food and beverage commodities that might be utilized in restaurants and foodservice businesses, the top 15 categories in 2023 were:
- Baked Goods & Pastries (including wafers and caps): $4.98B
- Rapeseed, Mustard, or Colza Oil (unmodified): $4.80B
- Fresh or Chilled Beef: $2.65B
- Chocolate and Cocoa-Based Foods: $1.98B
- Frozen Prepared or Preserved Vegetables: $1.69B
- Crustaceans (like shrimp or crab): $1.68B
- Other Miscellaneous Food Preparations: $1.10B
- Pork (fresh, chilled, or frozen): $890.1M
- Fresh or Chilled Vegetables: $800.2M
- Fresh or Chilled Fish (whole, no fillets): $766.0M
- Malt Extract & Cocoa-Free Flour Preparations: $755.2M
- Wheat and Meslin: $754.4M
- Preserved Meats, Offal, and Other Foods: $655.3M
- Sugar Confections (like white chocolate, no cocoa): $613.5M
- Coffee and Coffee Substitutes: $567.3M
Mexico
The total flow of commodity imports coming from Mexico in 2023 was $475.2B. The bulk of that amount came from appliances, electronics and motor vehicles. Beer and medical equipment were also important, with the former topping the food and beverage commodities imports list below.
In terms of food and beverage commodities that might be utilized in restaurants and foodservice businesses, the top 15 categories in 2023 were:
- Beer (made from malt): $5.69B
- Alcoholic Beverages (ethyl alcohol and spirits): $4.81B
- Fresh Fruits (miscellaneous): $3.86B
- Dates, Figs, Pineapples, Avocados (fresh or dried): $3.30B
- Fresh or Chilled Vegetables: $2.96B
- Fresh or Chilled Tomatoes: $2.71B
- Baked Goods (bread, pastries, wafers, etc.): $2.37B
- Fresh or Chilled Beef: $1.54B
- Sugar Confections (like white chocolate, no cocoa): $1.18B
- Preserved Fruits and Nuts: $899.3M
- Citrus Fruits (fresh or dried): $855.8M
- Sweetened Beverages and Other Non-Alcoholic Drinks: $855.3M
- Fresh or Dried Grapes: $835.3M
- Fresh or Chilled Cucumbers and Gherkins: $805.1M
- Cane or Beet Sugar (solid form): $790.4M
China
The total flow of commodity imports coming from China in 2023 was $426.9B. The bulk of that amount came from electronics, furniture and motor vehicle parts. Apparel, medical equipment, plastics, small appliances and tableware were also high on this list.
In terms of food and beverage commodities that might be utilized in restaurants and foodservice businesses, the top 15 categories in 2023 were:
- Fish Fillets and Meat (fresh, chilled, or frozen): $985.3M
- Modified Fats and Oils (animal, vegetable, or microbial): $763.3M
- Preserved Fruits and Nuts: $445.9M
- Vegetable Extracts, Pectin, Agar, and Similar Products: $274.4M
- Miscellaneous Food Preparations: $341.8M
- Vegetable Saps, Extracts, Pectates, and Agar-agar: $274.4M
- Prepared Vegetables (not frozen): $171.4M
- Sauces, Condiments, and Mustard Flour: $148.8M
- Preserved Crustaceans and Mollusks: $146.5M
- Sugar Confectionery (like white chocolate, no cocoa): $133.8M
- Prepared Fish, Caviar, and Caviar Substitutes: $117.1M
- Fresh or Chilled Onions, Garlic, Shallots, and Leeks: $104.7M
- Peppers (Capsicum, Pimenta, or Piper genus): $102.4M
- Pasta and Couscous (prepared or unprepared): $99.0M
- Unfermented Juices (fruit, nut, or vegetable, no spirits): $96.5M