Fastest Growing Industries by Exports in Canada in 2026

• 1. Ship Building in Canada

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 43.3%

  Shipbuilders design, build and repair ships and other vessels for military and commercial clients. Long project lead times, primarily for defense contracts, have led to a consistent flow of revenue, keeping shipyard revenue stable despite supply chain disruptions, climbing interest rates, geopolitical uncertainty and other exogenous shocks. Even so, the industry struggles with foreign competition, with both low-cost producers and maritime powerhouses threatening commercial, civil or defence m...

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• 2. Glasses & Contact Lens Manufacturing in Canada

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 10.4%

  Glasses and contact lens manufacturers in Canada are crucial in providing essential vision correction and protective eyewear, supporting the well-being and productivity of individuals across age groups and demographics. Recent performance points to a challenging environment driven by growing import competition, evolving digital shopping preferences and a rapidly changing optical technology landscape. Although demand remains robust, domestic suppliers have struggled to keep pace with larger in...

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• 3. Navigational Instrument Manufacturing in Canada

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 9.6%

  Navigational instrument manufacturers have navigated a fluctuating landscape, marked by both challenges and opportunities. While diverse product lines spanning defence, marine, aerospace and electronic sectors have provided a cushion against major revenue swings, fierce competition and high production costs have facilitated modest revenue gains. The industry benefited from an expansion in Canadian defence spending, which drove greater spending in downstream markets. Spe...

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• 4. Boat Building in Canada

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 8.9%

  Canadian boat builders manufacture various watercraft for personal, commercial and government use. These products are highly discretionary purchases, so boat builders benefit from growing consumer confidence, disposable income and spending. The pandemic fostered strong boat sales, encouraging individuals to find socially-distanced recreational activities, leading to heightened demand for boating. This trend has altered the industry's structure, pushing companies to provide added value to conv...

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• 5. Gold & Silver Ore Mining in Canada

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 8.3%

  Gold and silver ore mining continues to thrive as production levels remain elevated, driven largely by Canada's significant gold deposits, which account for over 98.0% of revenue garnered from gold product sales. Early in the current period, in 2021 and 2022, industry returns fell from pandemic-era highs; during the pandemic, escalating gold prices attracted investor attention because of gold's unique properties as a countercyclical asset, offering a hedge against inflation and market volatil...

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• 6. Ceramics Manufacturing in Canada

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 8.3%

  The ceramics manufacturing industry in Canada is experiencing a period of decline despite a gain in residential construction activity in 2025. Increased demand for ceramic fixtures, which naturally occurs with a boom in housing development, is primarily benefiting imports as opposed to domestic manufacturers. This trend underlines Canada's long-standing reliance on foreign-made ceramics and is reflected in the stagnant sales experienced by Canadian manufacturers. Global competition continues ...

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• 7. Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in Canada

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 6.9%

  The Canadian material handling equipment industry, which produces essential goods like forklifts and conveyors for manufacturing, construction, warehousing and logistics, faces notable headwinds heading into 2025 due to a slowdown in domestic manufacturing activity, international trade uncertainties and potential tariff escalations that disrupt global supply chains. Despite robust demand over the past five years driven by industrial production growth, rapid e-commerce expansion and incr...

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• 8. Seafood Preparation in Canada

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 6.5%

  In recent years, Canada's Seafood Preparation industry has demonstrated resilience and adaptability in a rapidly evolving market. This industry, which plays a critical role in the country's food sector and makes significant export contributions, has faced numerous challenges and opportunities. Recent performance highlights include steady growth driven by domestic consumption and exports, alongside an increasing focus on sustainability and innovation. These factors have shaped a dynamic landsc...

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• 9. Coal Mining in Canada

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 6.4%

  Canadian coal miners are coming off a tumultuous few years in which war, supply shocks and the energy transition have all collided. After spiking in 2021 and 2022 on the back of the post‑pandemic reopening and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, coal prices have eased from their peaks as supply chains normalized and Europe scrambled less urgently for replacement fuel. That retreat has pulled revenue and profit back from their 2022 highs, even though prices remained comparatively firm through 2023 a...

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• 10. Automobile Engine & Parts Manufacturing in Canada

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 6.0%

  Canadian automobile engine and parts manufacturers produce gasoline-powered engines and parts. The industry primarily consists of vertically integrated automobile manufacturers and large companies providing engines that fill contracts for automakers and aftermarkets. While the lingering impact of the pandemic and climbing interest rates have led to subdued spending and volatility, strong consumer spending on new vehicles and increased driving activity have contributed to strong demand for new...

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