Job prospects Labourer - Food And Beverage Processing in British Columbia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "labourer - food and beverage processing" in British Columbia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in British Columbia

The recent trends from the past 3 years were updated on July 25, 2025. The job outlooks over the next 3 years were updated on December 10, 2025.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be Limited for labourers in food and beverage processing (NOC 95106) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Labourers in food and beverage processing in British Columbia primarily process regional goods and may be involved in the processing of meats and dairy, seafoods, fruits and vegetables, or alcohols depending on the region. 

The Lower Mainland has the majority of jobs in this industry and processes dairy products, meat & poultry, seafood, functional foods, baked goods and craft beverages. 

The Okanagan has the majority of jobs related to fruit production, including wineries, while Vancouver Island and the South Coastal Region has the majority of the seafood processing facilities. 

Food processing is one of the largest segments of the manufacturing sector in British ColumbiaThe adoption of new technologies such as automation, AI integration, robotics, and packing and storage solutions are expected to bolster British Columbia's manufacturing industry. 

Local governments have pushed for an increase in Canadian food self-sufficiency in the wake of U.S. tariffs which could lead to some growth opportunities in the sector. The manufacturing sector has fallen in terms of contribution to GDP in the province over the last few years; new industry regulations, competition with the United States and real estate costs have increased the burden on manufacturing businesses. 

Wood product manufacturing, food processing, machinery, and fabricated metal products are the largest manufacturing industries in British Columbia; these are also among the top British Columbia exports to the U.S., which have been impacted by tariffs.

Here are some key facts about labourers in food and beverage processing in British Columbia:

• Approximately 4,900 people work in this occupation.
• Labourers in food and beverage processing mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Food, beverage and tobacco product manufacturing (NAICS 311, 312): 61%
  • Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 15%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 85% compared to 78% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 15% compared to 22% for all occupations
• 55% of labourers in food and beverage processing work all year, while 45% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of labourers in food and beverage processing are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 37% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 63% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 25% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 46% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 6% compared to 13% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 9% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 11% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in British Columbia by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

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