Beef and buffalo meat market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

The Canadian beef market saw steady growth in production and volume from 2018 to 2020. The implementation of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations in 2018 established clear standards for beef carcasses and meat products, supporting a 6% rise in production to 1 342 thousand tonnes that year. Market volume expanded by 2.2% to 1 074 thousand tonnes. In 2020, the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and processing, leading to a slight 0.9% dip in production, though total market volume still grew by 2.7% to 1 103 thousand tonnes.

Production recovered strongly after the pandemic, increasing by 4% to 1 383 thousand tonnes in 2021, even as domestic market volume contracted by 3.2% due to a significant surge in exports. By 2022, output peaked at 1 412 thousand tonnes, and market volume grew by 3.7% to 1 107 thousand tonnes, supported by evolving consumer preferences toward differentiated and locally sourced beef products.

A shift in consumption patterns toward pork and poultry, coupled with rising feed grain prices that increased production costs, contributed to a 4.9% decline in output to 1 343 thousand tonnes in 2023. Market volume fell by 3.9% to 1 064 thousand tonnes. The federal project to introduce labeling for ground beef content was withdrawn following industry pressure. In 2024, new livestock feed regulations were adopted, and Health Canada proposed policy changes for products from cloned animals, while record-high beef prices were driven by herd reductions due to drought in North America and inflated input costs.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada ranked as the 10th largest producer of beef and buffalo meat globally.

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, beef and buffalo meat production in Canada experienced a decline. In 2020, production stood at 1 330 K t, marking a slight decrease of 0.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production rose by 10.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4%. The peak production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 342 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Canada's beef and buffalo meat production value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 7 778 M $ US, representing a 2.5% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 28.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Canada

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, beef and buffalo meat export volumes from Canada declined. In 2020, exports totaled 376.8 K t, which was 2.4% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 15.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 386.3 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 10.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Canada in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the primary destination for Canada's beef and buffalo meat exports in volume terms, accounting for 76.1% of total flows. Other markets comprised a long tail of smaller partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Canada in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Beef and buffalo meat export values from Canada increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Canada exported 2 203 M $ US worth of beef and buffalo meat, showing a modest improvement of 0.9% compared to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, export values grew by 35%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 10.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Canada in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States clearly dominated Canada's beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms, capturing 75.0% of total flows. Other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Canada in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Canada

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, beef and buffalo meat import volumes into Canada increased. In 2020, imports totaled 149.5 K t, showing a sharp rise of 26.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 9.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 117.8 K t, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 13.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Canada in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (56.2% of import volume), Australia (13.3%), and New Zealand (12.7%) together accounted for 82.2% of total beef and buffalo meat imports into Canada, making them the main sources.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Canada in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decrease, beef and buffalo meat import values into Canada rose. In 2020, imports totaled 921 M $ US, up by 28.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values increased by 10.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 720 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual decline of 12.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Canada in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (65.3% of import value), Australia (11.0%), and New Zealand (9.5%) remained the leading sources in Canada's beef and buffalo meat import structure, with a combined share of 85.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Canada in value, 2017-2020