How are meat prices in Canada?


Editorial team Published on

Meat prices in Canada have reached record highs, driven primarily by soaring beef costs and rising demand for alternative proteins like chicken and pork.

Current Meat Price Trends

  • Beef Prices: Beef prices are up approximately 62.6% since 2021 and climbed another 16% over the past year. Ground beef averages around $16.50 CAD per kilogram (~$7.50 CAD per pound), while premium cuts like tenderloin or prime rib can range from $27 to over $50 per pound depending on the retailer and region.
  • Alternative Proteins (Chicken & Pork): Because beef has become unaffordable for many households, consumers have shifted toward chicken and pork, which has pushed up prices for those categories as well.
  • Regional Variations: Prices tend to be higher in regions like the Maritimes (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI) due to local production gaps and shipping costs, whereas Western provinces or major hubs like Ontario and Alberta see slightly more competitive baseline pricing.

Why Prices Are So High

  • Shrinking Cattle Herds: Years of drought, high feed costs, and fewer ranchers have left North American cattle inventories low. Although the Canadian cattle herd showed a slight rebound to 11.1 million head, rebuilding herds is a slow process ("like turning an ocean liner").
  • High Demand: Consumer appetite for red meat remains strong both domestically and internationally, keeping export and retail prices elevated.
  • Supply Chain Concentration: Industry analysts point to a concentrated processing sector (with major plants in Alberta) and tight margins between the farm gate and the grocery shelf.

Outlook

  • Experts from Dalhousie University and industry groups project that meat prices—especially beef—will remain high through at least 2027 before any noticeable relief reaches the checkout counter.