Industries with the Biggest Decline in Exports in Canada in 2025

1. Printing Services in Canada

Decline in Exports for 2025: -72.1%

Printing service providers have struggled over the current period as demand from downstream printing and publishing sectors plummeted, especially in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Printing service providers have continued to face difficulties as printed newspaper and magazine circulation declined and many forms of printed materials have moved online. Industry-wide revenue has been falling at a CAGR of 5.9% over the past five years and is expected to total $590.0 million in 2023, when revenue will dip by an estimated 0.6%. While revenue has fallen considerably, profit has expanded over the past five years because of unprofitable businesses exiting.

Technological... Learn More

2. Printing in Canada

Decline in Exports for 2025: -17.1%

The Printing industry in Canada has encountered several challenges over the past decade that have complicated its performance over the five years to 2023, the most significant of which has been rising competition from digital media. As media consumption and ad dollars have moved online, publishers and advertisers, two of the largest industry markets, have reduced their investments in traditional print products. Meanwhile, advances in workflow software and online communication have facilitated easier offshoring of work. Due to this, printers in China, whose access to lower-cost labour permits them to undercut domestic companies on price, have gained market share. There... Learn More

3. Coal Mining in Canada

Decline in Exports for 2025: -13.1%

Operators in the Coal Mining industry in Canada have experienced considerable fluctuations in prices of industry goods. Canadian coal mining revenue has been increasing at an annualized 11.3% over the past five years, including an estimated 32.3% decrease in 2023, and is expected to total $19.0 billion. In 2023, profit is set to increase to 32.1%. The industry has two primary products, metallurgical coal used for steel production and thermal coal used in energy generation. At the start of the current period, global oversupply and falling demand resulted in low prices and revenue. Subsequent price growth between 2016 and 2018... Learn More

4. Construction Machinery Manufacturing in Canada

Decline in Exports for 2025: -11.5%

Construction machinery manufacturers have faced declines over the current period as various downstream markets have been volatile. Manufacturers have enjoyed favorable trade conditions as the US dollar strengthening relative to the Canadian dollar pushed up exports and weakened import penetration. Overall, industry-wide revenue has been falling at a CAGR of 1.4% over the past five years and is expected to total $2.8 billion in 2023, when revenue will dip by an estimated 6.3% and profit will climb to 5.4%.

The outbreak of COVID-19 hammered various downstream construction markets. While lower interest rates spurred investment in the residential construction market, falling... Learn More

5. Paper Mills in Canada

Decline in Exports for 2025: -9.8%

Paper mills have continued to experience declines over the five years to 2023. One of the biggest drivers of these declines has been the contraction of downstream publishing industries across North America. Major declines in the print newspaper industry have considerably impacted industry revenue. All domestic publishing industries have experienced decreased revenue from downstream paper-based communications companies. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected downstream markets as shifts to remote work further contributed to these trends. Revenue is expected to decline at a CAGR of 6.4% to $6.6 billion over the five years to 2023, including a decline of 2.3% in 2023,... Learn More

6. Heating & Air-Conditioning Equipment Manufacturing in Canada

Decline in Exports for 2025: -5.9%

The Heating and Air-Conditioning Equipment Manufacturing industry in Canada manufactures heating equipment, commercial refrigeration equipment, air conditioners, commercial and industrial fans, blowers, air purification equipment and electric and nonelectric heating and refrigeration equipment. Collectively, these goods are known as heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) equipment. At the start of the five years 2023, downstream growth from the Canadian residential market, rising exports and new energy-efficient standards benefited industry operators. Following initial disruptions due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, exceptional growth in residential construction and remodeling markets drove further industry expansion and profit growth. Economic headwinds have since contributed to... Learn More

7. Thermal Power in Canada

Decline in Exports for 2025: -5.6%

The industry is composed of companies that generate electricity using natural gas, coal, uranium or crude oil. Strong economic growth and high wages before the pandemic boosted demand for electricity from the commercial, residential and industrial sectors, so revenue rose. Since most businesses were shut down during COVID-19, spending on electricity from companies and manufacturers fell precipitously, hurting thermal power plant operators in 2020. The decline in revenue growth during the pandemic was reduced by high demand for electricity from households, as individuals stuck at home used their lights, computers and other devices more frequently.

As the global economy recovered from... Learn More

8. Breweries in Canada

Decline in Exports for 2025: -4.6%

As the Breweries industry in Canada has evolved in response to changing trends, its expansion has stagnated. While the industry has benefited from the popularity of craft beer from local microbreweries, consumers have shifted away from the traditional light and premium beer brands that currently represent most of industry brewers' sales. Navigating the challenging conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, breweries saw sharp contractions across multiple years. As a result, industry revenue is anticipated to decline at a CAGR of 2.6% to $6.7 billion over the five years to 2023, including a contraction of 2.4% during the current year.

The rising popularity... Learn More

9. Mining, Oil & Gas Machinery Manufacturing in Canada

Decline in Exports for 2025: -4.4%

Canada is one of the world's largest producers of crude oil and natural gas, as well as a range of other metal and mineral commodities. This has traditionally benefited the Mining, Oil and Gas Machinery Manufacturing industry, which produces goods used by extraction industries. Revenue is closely tied to commodity prices, as these can dictate levels of investment and activity by extraction companies. Commodity prices have been hugely volatile over the five years to 2023, with the prices of many goods tanking, causing exploration activity and demand for industry products to fall in certain years. Overall, IBISWorld estimates that industry... Learn More

10. Ferrous Metal Foundry Products in Canada

Decline in Exports for 2025: -3.6%

Canadian ferrous metal foundries sell iron and steel castings to manufacturing and construction industries. Buyers use ferrous metal foundry products in various industrial applications, including farm machinery, engines, turbines, power transmission equipment, automobiles and railways. Despite robust demand for ferrous metal foundry products, foreign competition from low-cost producers in China and India has increasingly challenged domestic companies. As a result of volatility in manufacturing and construction markets, revenue has faltered. Revenue contracted at an expected CAGR of 1.2% to $1.5 billion through the current period, including a 2.6% dip in 2023, when profit reached 3.9%. Declining steel and iron prices... Learn More