Western Grocer Serving the industry since 1916
Canadian domestic beef production (domestic slaughter plus slaughter exports) was up 0.6% year-to-date (October 8, 2022), supported by larger volumes produced in the first half of 2022. Fed production (from youthful cattle) was up 0.6% and non-fed production (from mature cattle) was up 0.3%.
As production eased through the second half of the year, it is projected to be down 1% annually in 2022, to 1.59 million tonnes (3.5 billion pounds). Fed beef production is projected to be down 1.7% as steer marketings are down in the second half of the year. Non-fed beef production is projected to be up 2.8%, assuming poor pasture conditions and high cow prices would push larger volumes of Canadian cows to market this fall. While there is some lag in the data, larger cow marketings have yet to be noted by mid-October. Smaller cow marketings and heifer placements would indicate potential for herd expansion in 2024, but would do little to alleviate the tightening cattle supply projected for 2023.
Beef production for 2023 is forecast to be down 3-4.5% in 2023, from lower domestic slaughter (down 2-4%) and live slaughter exports (down 6-11%). The decline could be 1 to 2% smaller, depending on net feeder cattle trade that will be driven by relative feed costs in Canada and the US.
