2019 Canadian beef exports were up 10% in volume and 17% in value

Canadian Beef Trade

From January to December 2019 Canadian beef exports were up 10% in volume and 17% in value, despite market access issues to China in the second half of the year, at 438,500 tonnes valued at $3.2 billion. Export growth was supported by a 6% increase in domestic beef production.

Big gains were seen to Japan. Three tariff reductions under CPTPP from December through April 2019, resulted in a tariff advantage over the United States. Exports to Japan made a new record at 49,300 tonnes valued at $353 million, up 56% in volume and 68% in value.  This secures Japan’s spot as Canada’s second largest export destination for beef representing 11.2% of total beef exports.

Exports to China and Hong Kong finished the year down 6% in volume and 4% in value, representing 6.6% of total beef exports. The market access disruption in the second half of the year meant Canada was limited in its ability to fill the protein void left by African Swine Fever (ASF).

Beef imports were down 14% to 154,450 tonnes with sharp reductions from all major suppliers: the U.S. (-14%), Australia (-31%) and New Zealand (-27%). International competition for product is strong with some product being diverted away from traditional markets to fill more lucrative opportunities.