Salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Canadian market for salted, dried, or smoked beef showed considerable volatility. After declining to 256 tonnes in 2019, market volume rose to 395 tonnes in 2020 and peaked at 609 tonnes in 2021, then dropped to 449 tonnes in 2022 before recovering to 572 tonnes in 2023.

The surge in 2021 coincided with new product launches in the meat sector, including varieties with smoke and salt flavors, which stimulated domestic demand. In 2022, despite the overall market contraction, the shelf-stable beef category such as dried beef jerky continued to expand, reflecting evolving consumer preferences towards convenient and preserved meat options.

Regulatory developments played a key role in subsequent years. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's red tape reduction in 2023 and a government investment exceeding $5.4 million into the beef sector in 2024 provided a supportive framework for market operations. Simultaneously, a three-decade low in the national beef herd and elevated feed costs due to dry weather influenced production economics, while exports to the United States remained the dominant trade flow.

Production salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Canada ranked as the 21st largest producer of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef, 2017-2020

World map of production of salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef, 2017-2020

Canada's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 1 177 tonnes, up 1.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 11.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Canada's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the value of this output was 4 474 thousand US dollars, a slight gain of 0.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 20.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%.

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

Exports salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef from Canada

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Canada exported 922 tonnes of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef, down 9.4% from 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 882 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 1 018 tonnes. The largest year-over-year increase was in 2019, at 15.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key destinations for Canada's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef by volume were Suriname (49.8% of exports), the United States (23.6%), and Curaçao (10.2%). Together, these three markets accounted for 83.5% of total export 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, K $ US

In 2020, Canada's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef were valued at 3 504 thousand US dollars, a modest decline of 9.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 5.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 3 245 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 3 886 thousand US dollars. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, at 19.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Canada's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef by value were Suriname (42.3% of exports), the United States (36.3%), and Curaçao (8.1%). Collectively, these three countries represented 86.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef to Canada

Imports in kind, t

Canada's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 140 tonnes, a 28.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume grew by 32.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 88 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 16.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef by volume were dominated by Italy and the United States, which together made up 99.8% 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 imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 931 thousand US dollars, up 13.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 53.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef by value were highly concentrated, with Italy and the United States jointly accounting for 99.8% 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