Pork market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

The Canadian pork market volume increased from 1 292 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 346 thousand tons in 2019, supported by expanding exports to Japan and the United States. Lower prices for swine feed allowed producers to increase hog weights at slaughter, boosting yields despite a declining national swine population that impacted overall supply.

Market volume contracted to 1 275 thousand tons in 2020 before recovering to 1 298 thousand tons in 2021. This rebound was fueled by robust export demand and significant consumer price inflation for pork, reflecting broader supply chain and behavioral pressures linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From 2022 to 2023, the market expanded further to 1 426 thousand tons. A continued decline in the swine herd constrained supply, but sustained access to key export markets and shifts in provincial slaughter patterns—such as increased output in Manitoba—supported overall volume. A concurrent drop in export value indicated a greater share of production was available for domestic consumption.

Production pork in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Canada ranked ninth globally in pork production volume.

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Canada's pork production volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 299 K t of pork, marking a modest rise of 5.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 8.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 124 K t, which also saw the smallest decline of 0.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Canada's pork production value increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, pork output was valued at 6 091 M $ US, showing an improvement of 4.5% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 9.9%, with a CAGR of 3.2%. The minimum value occurred in 2018 at 5 361 M $ US, which experienced a decline of 3.3%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase at 8.8%.

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

Exports pork from Canada

Exports in kind, K t

Canada's pork export volumes increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1 191 K t, up by 23.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 21.5%, translating to an annualized rate of 6.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 962 K t, which also saw a decline of 1.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China (28.7% of exports in kind), the United States (24.1%), and Japan (21.2%) were the key export partners, collectively accounting for 74.0% of total flows.

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

Pork deliveries from Canada increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, Canada exported 3 156 M $ US worth of pork, indicating a significant uptick of 21.5% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 23.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 427 M $ US, which experienced a decline of 5.0%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Japan (34.6% of exports in value terms), the United States (27.4%), and China (19.2%) consistently held leading positions in Canada's export structure, jointly accounting for 81.2% of total 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 pork to Canada

Imports in kind, K t

Canada's pork import volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 166 K t of pork, marking an increase of 18.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 48.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the primary source for imports in kind, accounting for 84.8% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail of smaller partners.

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

Canada's pork import value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 562 M $ US, equivalent to a significant gain of 24.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 26.4%, with a CAGR of 8.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 421 M $ US, which saw a decline of 5.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States played the leading role in imports in value terms, with a share of 82.3% of total flows, while other markets together accounted for the remainder.

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

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