Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 4.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $27.0bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Global steel price swings challenge Canadian wholesalers
- Worldwide steel production is key to industry sales because global price cycles determine prices for Canadian wholesalers. These cycles have widened in the years since the pandemic. After supply disruptions and rapid reopening of construction and manufacturing, North American prices for primary ferrous metals climbed 43.1% in 2021, according to Statistics Canada’s Industrial Product Price Index (PPI). This price volatility raised input costs for large volumes of steel, increasing both raw material costs for wholesalers and selling prices downstream. In turn, this pushed some manufacturing planners to seek alternative materials.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Steel and iron prices stagnate, with aluminum outperforming other metals into the next decade
- Global steel prices will grow slowly in the coming year, with real gains likely hovering near zero as mature markets' gains offset only modest growth in steel‑intensive sectors. This profile will keep input costs relatively predictable, but it will not create a strong price‑driven earnings cycle.
Biggest companies in the Metal Wholesaling in Canada
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue ($m)
2025 | Profit ($m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Russel | 2,183.8 | 158.0 | 7.2 | |
Reliance | 687.8 | N/A | N/A |
To view the market share and analysis for all 2 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Iron and steel, Aluminum and Other nonferrous metals and products. Iron and steel is the largest segment of the Metal Wholesaling in Canada.
Trends and Insights
Steel product demand rises with construction and energy sector growth
- This segment covers iron and steel products distributed and custom-processed by wholesalers, including pipes, tubes, plates, bars, and coils. Steel products are critical inputs for industries that rely on durability and strength, including construction, mining, energy and infrastructure projects. Wholesalers supply a range of standard and custom products to meet varied industrial needs.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Metal wholesalers in Canada distribute primary metals and metal products to end markets. Most products distributed are ferrous, although the industry also distributes aluminum and other nonferrous metals. Wholesalers may also perform functions such as sawing and cleaning on a custom basis and as part of the distribution service. The distribution of precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum is excluded from this industry’s operations.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada include Wholesaling steel products, Wholesaling stainless steel and alloys, Wholesaling aluminum and aluminum products, Wholesaling other nonferrous metals and products and Shaping and processing metals to customer specifications.Companies
Companies covered in the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada include Russel and Reliance.Purchase this report to view all 2 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada include nonferrous metal, blanking, pickling and rolling stock.Industry Code
NAICS 416210 - Metal Wholesaling in Canada
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Iron and steel prices climbed as limited supply met rising demand. As global supply chains recovered unevenly and construction and manufacturing expanded, wholesalers raised ...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Tariffs on various metals, including steel and aluminum imports, will make Canadian products less competitive in the US market. Historical data show similar tariffs caused si...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Ontario’s dense urban areas drive strong demand for construction, supporting growth in both residential and commercial projects. High population concentrations and ongoing de...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each province
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each province in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each province accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each province accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each province in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Controlling costs gives companies a crucial competitive edge. By keeping operational expenses low, they can better weather volatile commodity prices and maintain stable profi...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Russel Metals operates across multiple industry-relevant segments, including metals service centres, energy products and steel distribution. Each segment targets specific mar...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of Russel's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Reliance's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Russel, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Reliance, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Metal wholesalers in Canada are under heavy laws and regulations. These include the discharge of pollutants into the air and water along with safety requirements.
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Purchases represent the largest expense for metal wholesalers, with steel being the most significant cost. Steel prices have been volatile, creating challenges for budgeting,...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2023)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2023)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2023)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2023)
- Assets (2018-2023)
- Liabilities (2018-2023)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada in 2025?
The market size of the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada is $27.0bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada in 2025?
There are 1,047 businesses in the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.9 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada?
The Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada?
The Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada has been growing at a CAGR of 4.7 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada?
The biggest companies operating in the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada are Russel and Reliance
What does the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada include?
Wholesaling steel products and Wholesaling stainless steel and alloys are part of the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada?
The company holding the most market share in the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada is Russel.
How competitive is the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Metal Wholesaling industry in Canada.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Canada include:
- Statistics Canada
- Industry Canada
- Canadian Business Patterns
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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