U.S. Maintains Leadership Amid Canada’s Rise in Global Agri-Food Rankings

The United States remains one of the world’s most influential players in the global agri-food system, according to the second edition of the Global Agri-Food Most Influential Nations Ranking, released by MNP and the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. 

But the big story this year is Canada’s rapid ascent, climbing from 11th to 7th place among G20 nations, highlighting both regional cooperation and shifting global dynamics in food production, trade and sustainability.

The report evaluates 19 G20 nations and the European Union across six “pillars of influence”: innovation, food security, retail and fiscal regime, trade and geopolitics, sectoral competitiveness and sustainability. The European Union debuts in first place overall, followed by Germany, Italy, the United States and the United Kingdom. The top six are all Tier 1 performers, setting the global benchmark for agri-food influence.

The U.S. remains a leader thanks to its powerful innovation ecosystem, deep capital markets and strong trade presence. Its agricultural research and venture capital networks continue to drive global trends in ag-tech, food processing and biotech. American producers also benefit from a massive domestic market and infrastructure capable of quickly scaling innovation from laboratory breakthroughs to global exports. However, the U.S. slipped slightly in the trade and geopolitics pillar due to ongoing tariff disputes and global policy uncertainty, dropping from third to sixth in that category.

By contrast, Canada’s climb into the top 10 marks a significant North American development. Its progress reflects a stronger trade profile, expanding export reach, and continued political stability. Canada now ranks second globally in trade and geopolitics, trailing only Australia, with trade agreements covering more than 1.27 billion people. A $60 billion agri-food trade surplus has strengthened its reputation as a reliable exporter.

Still, the report notes challenges. Canada’s innovation momentum is uneven, as research and development investment fell by 37 percent since 2023. While more than 320 agri-food startups have raised $3 billion, most activity is concentrated in larger companies with better access to funding. Smaller and rural entrepreneurs face barriers to scaling new technologies. The report calls for stronger commercialization support and scale-up infrastructure to ensure that innovation reaches beyond urban hubs.

Food Security and Affordability: A Shared Concern

Both the U.S. and Canada perform well on food access and safety, but affordability remains a shared concern. Fewer than 3 percent of Canadians cannot afford a nutritious diet, yet nearly one in five still experiences food insecurity,  a rate similar to some lower-ranked nations. In the U.S., high inflation and supply chain disruptions continue to challenge affordability for lower-income households.

The report suggests that robust social protection systems such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the U.S. and local innovation initiatives like Canada’s northern greenhouse projects can help mitigate regional disparities. These programs demonstrate how localized, community-based food systems can enhance national resilience.

Retail Concentration and Market Pressures

Retail consolidation is a growing issue across North America. In Canada, the top four grocery retailers control 72 percent of sales, one of the highest levels in the G20. The U.S. shows similar patterns, with four companies holding roughly 80 percent of the food processing market in several categories. The report warns that such concentration limits competition, pressures producers, and stifles innovation.

While U.S. e-commerce grocery adoption continues to expand, Canada lags behind, with digital food retail representing only 2.5 percent of sales. The report highlights South Korea and China as models for balancing traditional retail with digital channels, suggesting North American markets could accelerate online transformation to improve efficiency and consumer choice.

Sustainability and Long-Term Competitiveness

The sustainability pillar underscores another key divide. The European Union and Germany lead globally with aggressive biodiversity frameworks and climate action plans. The U.S. ranks among the top Tier 1 nations thanks to advanced monitoring and precision agriculture, while Canada falls into Tier 2 but shows potential with strong biodiversity data and new initiatives such as the Sustainable Agriculture Strategy and a $3.5 billion Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

The report argues that North American competitiveness will increasingly depend on sustainability as global buyers and investors prioritize climate accountability. Policies that reward regenerative practices and emissions reduction could give the U.S. and Canada long-term advantage in global food markets.

Lessons for the U.S.

For the U.S., the report reinforces that leadership in agri-food innovation and trade cannot be taken for granted. While the country continues to dominate in patents, startups and production scale, its global influence is being tested by rising middle powers—particularly Canada, Brazil, and Australia—that are building diversified trade networks and sustainability credentials.

The findings also suggest opportunities for greater North American alignment. Shared challenges, from supply chain coordination to sustainable production and workforce resilience, could benefit from cross-border collaboration under agreements like CUSMA. Strengthening regional innovation clusters and expanding partnerships across the U.S.-Canada corridor could boost both countries’ global competitiveness.

A Global Race to Adapt

Ultimately, the 2025 Global Agri-Food Most Influential Nations Ranking paints a picture of an industry in transition. Traditional leaders like the U.S. still set the pace, but emerging players are catching up fast by targeting gaps in sustainability, affordability and digital transformation.