At each edition of the fair, numerous leading category associations from all over the world strike up partnerships with HostMilano. Host2023, which will be held at fieraMilano from 13 to 17 October, will be no exception.

One of them is BAC, the Baking Association of Canada. We contacted Executive Director and General Manager Martin Barnett to learn more about the changes taking place in Canada.

“The Canadian Baking industry has steadied over the last 12 months. Apart from the pandemic, we were affected by global affairs, a poor wheat harvest and some extreme weather events over the fall and winter of 2021-2022. Sales of bread products in 2021 were very high – up around 16% year over year – but settled in 2022 as more people returned to work. However, although the volume of product has slowed, it is still following the same steady upward trends that we saw before the pandemic. The good news for producers is that $/Kilo revenue is trending much higher than before the pandemic.”.

But numbers apart, baking is changing and new trends are appearing. What are they?

The pandemic showed us that it was important to have flexible business models. Those companies that were able to quickly adapt to new realities have come out stronger and more profitable than before. For retailers, pre-order and pre-pay using on-line platforms are very successful models. Also, smaller retailers have addressed the acute labour shortage by reducing hours, which has resulted in a better work/life balance for business owners and employees.

We have found that consumers are still very discerning when it comes to the quality of baked products, and often price isn’t the only consideration if a nutritional, flavourful product is offered. The pandemic introduced many people to the benefits of sourdough breads and true sourdough made with whole grains by the traditional method continue to be popular. High quality chocolates, Vienoisserie and fancy pastries are finding niche markets on many high streets and we are sure that this trend will trickle up to the larger retailers.

How are entrepreneurs coping with today’s new challenges?

The bigger producers are still grappling with lack of labour, supply chain issues, transportation and parts for new equipment and maintenance. This has resulted in whole lines being shut down, although there was some easing of these multiple challenges towards the end of the year. Every year BAC organizes the Bakery Showcase Trade Show and Conference (alternating between Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal), the event where industry leaders discuss the main trends, future and goals for the baking community. The theme of this year’s show – to be held in Vancouver this May – is the celebration of the women in the industry and its young entrepreneurs.

An opportunity, then, to find out more about the future of baking and hospitality in general.