Why Canadian beef prices remain high

Canadian beef prices have risen sharply, with Statistics Canada reporting that fresh or frozen beef is up nearly 13% from a year earlier and far more since 2021. By comparison, pork and chicken prices have increased much less, reflecting a tighter beef market. Industry experts say the main pressures are limited cattle supply and strong demand. Ranchers are rebuilding herds after years of drought and other cost pressures, while North American cattle numbers remain historically low. Analysts also say demand for beef has stayed resilient, which has helped keep prices elevated. The article also points to processing bottlenecks. Most of Canada’s beef processing is concentrated in a small number of federally inspected slaughterhouses, and federal officials are promoting changes to help more provincially licensed facilities meet national standards. Supporters say expanding processing capacity could make the supply chain more resilient and help more local meat move across provincial borders.