Pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

The Canadian market for pig fat expanded from 109 thousand metric tons in 2018 to 132.2 thousand metric tons in 2020. This growth was primarily driven by the African swine fever outbreak in China, which led to an embargo on Canadian pork imports in 2019, reducing export volumes and increasing domestic availability. Concurrently, COVID-19 pandemic measures in 2020 caused temporary plant closures and logistics disruptions, constraining processing capacity and further influencing market dynamics.

After peaking in 2020, the market volume softened to 126.9 thousand metric tons in 2021 and 124.5 thousand metric tons in 2022. During this period, updated Canadian food safety regulations introduced clearer labeling rules for preserved meat products, affecting production practices. Simultaneously, increased global pork exports from Brazil and the United States heightened competition for Canadian producers, impacting export opportunities and domestic market balance.

The market rebounded to 136.6 thousand metric tons in 2023, supported by a rise in pig prices and ongoing industry adjustments. New front-of-package labeling requirements for high-fat products came into effect, influencing consumer choices. In 2024, a key agreement between Olymel and the Quebec government secured local slaughter capacity, while exports to Asian markets surged, reflecting shifts in trade patterns and domestic supply commitments.

Production pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Canada ranked 7th globally in the production of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat.

Top producers of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat, 2017-2020

World map of production of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat, 2017-2020

Canada's production of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 185.1 K t, marking a 5.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 8.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 171.0 K t, which saw a slight decline of 0.2%.

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

Exports pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat from Canada

Exports in kind, t

Canada's exports of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 53 207 t, a modest 2.2% drop from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 13.1%, averaging a 4.6% annual decline. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 62 047 t, which included a 1.4% increase. However, the sharpest fall occurred in 2019 with a 12.3% reduction.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Japan, Mexico, and the United States were Canada's top buyers of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat by volume. Japan accounted for 41.6% of exports, Mexico for 28.3%, and the United States for 7.0%, together making up 76.9% of total export volumes.

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, K $ US

Canada's export value of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 86 288 K $ US, up 13.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 30.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, Mexico, and the United States consistently led in the value structure of Canada's exports. Japan represented 55.2% of export value, Mexico 14.9%, and the United States 8.4%, collectively accounting for 78.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat to Canada

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat into Canada showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2018 at 273 t, while imports peaked in 2019 at 531 t, a 94.2% surge from the previous year. In 2020, imports dropped to 378 t, a 28.8% decrease year-over-year, resulting in a 1.9-fold variation between the high and low points.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the United States, France, and Spain dominated Canada's import structure by volume. The United States contributed 31.2% of imports, France 22.9%, and Spain 19.8%, together representing 73.8% of total import flows.

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, K $ US

Canada's import value of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 431 K $ US, a 3.3% rise from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 78.4%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 21.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Spain, and Poland were the primary sources for Canada's imports by value. The United States accounted for 31.0% of import value, Spain for 27.6%, and Poland for 25.1%, with a combined share of 83.6% of total import flows.

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

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