The meat industry is the largest part of Canada’s food processing sector with annual sales surpassing $35 billion in 2021.


Canada is the
5th largest exporter
of agricultural and
agri-food products
Canada’s red meat sector employs over
194,000 people
nationwide
From farm to fork red
meat consumption generated
$15.3 billion
of economic activity in 2016

Facts-and-Figures

The US and Japan are among Canada’s most important export markets

Facts-and-figures

Canada’s consumption of red meat is estimated at
$13.9 billion

in 2019
(fresh, frozen and processed red meat products, purchased from stores and restaurants)

In 2016, exports contributed about
25% of the GDP
created in Canada’s red meat supply chain, much more than other food processing sectors

A modest
$100M increase
in exports (red meat) result in an almost equivalent increase in GDP of $97M.