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A by-the-numbers look at Canada’s beer industry

OTTAWA — The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is holding consultations over the summer about an updated Canadian definition of beer — what can go in it, sugar content — and new labelling rules for brewers. Beer is big business in Canada. Here are a few numbers to keep in mind.

OTTAWA — The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is holding consultations over the summer about an updated Canadian definition of beer — what can go in it, sugar content — and new labelling rules for brewers. Beer is big business in Canada. Here are a few numbers to keep in mind.

$9.1 billion: Sales of beer between April 2016 and March 2017

0.7: Percentage increase in overall sales from the preceding 12-month period

0.4: Percentage increase in sales of Canadian beers

2.1: Percentage increase in sale of imported beers

817: Breweries in Canada in 2017

2.23 billion: Litres of beer sold in fiscal year 2016-2017

75.5: Litres of beer per person of legal drinking age in 2017

80.9: Litres of beer per person of legal drinking age in 2013

60: Percentage of sales in cans

30: Percentage of sales in bottles

10: Percentage of sales in kegs

(Source: Statistics Canada, Beer Canada)