Canadian Cattle Association president says imported beef is filling a market void
Australian beef is on Canadian supermarket shelves at much lower prices than for Canadian beef.
Some producers are concerned about their products being undercut, and some consumers are just happy to have an affordable option.
Tyler Fulton, president of the Canadian Cattle Association, said the Australian option has been around for years.
asserted
option → say → years
"Recently there's been an increased visibility to consumers as to that choice, in particular with some of those steak-type cuts," he said.
asserted
he → be → cuts
Many factors contribute to the price difference, Fulton told CBC Saskatchewan.
asserted
Fulton → contribute → Saskatchewan
"The Australian production model is a grass-based system that commonly has a short grain feeding at the end of it.
asserted
that → base → it
So the result is really a product that is leaner, doesn't tend to have quite the same marbling and therefore isn't as preferred in Canada as compared to the Canadian-produced beef.
asserted
that → tend → beef
"The other likely big factor here is that retailers will use a 'loss leader' tactic.
asserted
retailers → use → tactic
"
Australia has had more access to the Canadian beef market since 2018, when the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) came into effect.
asserted
Agreement → have → effect
Fulton said the same agreement benefits Canada in a very similar way, allowing preferred access in countries like Japan and Vietnam.
"While we wish it was Canadian, there's an acute purpose for really bringing in some imported beef," he said.
asserted
he → say → beef
"It fills a short-term need or void in supply.
asserted
It → fill → supply
I don't think that there's a big concern from a Canadian beef producer standpoint about seeing a product like Australian beef that — we have confidence in their standards, but quite simply isn't of the same quality."
asserted
we → think → quality
CBC News talked to shoppers coming and going from the Loblaws-owned Real Canadian Superstore and Independent Grocer in Regina, to hear the consumer perspective.
asserted
News → talk → perspective
"I just can't spend that kind of money on one steak," said Karen Novak.
asserted
Novak → spend → steak
She completely adjusted her diet because of the prices, she said.
"The last time I tasted beef other than ground beef was probably two Christmases ago, when I made beef Wellington instead of turkey …
asserted
I → adjust → Wellington
So if any of our friends want to invite us over for a steak, I'll bring a salad."
asserted
I → want → salad
Jordan Fieseler said he buys beef in bulk from local producers instead.
"
asserted
he → say → producers
I think it makes sense if the price is so high that people are going to look to something cheaper.
asserted
people → think → something
I'd prefer things to not come from a long distance away.
asserted
things → prefer → ?
It's not as important to me as it was in the past, but that's only just because sometimes life gets crazy, and you have to just make things work," he said.
asserted
he → get → past
Everyone's going to make their own choices," said Larry Evans.
asserted
Evans → go → choices
"If the quality is not there, they probably won't, but it comes down to cost.
asserted
it → come → cost
In the future, if beef keeps rising, I'll try some Australian.
asserted
I → keep → Australian
"
Loblaws responded to a CBC request for comment with a statement.
asserted
Loblaws → respond → statement
"In recent years, North American cattle supply has tightened while Australian beef production has increased, contributing to differences in market pricing.
asserted
production → tighten → pricing
We remain committed to supporting Canadian beef producers while providing customers with choice and value," the statement said.
asserted
statement → remain → choice
As for the Canadian Cattle Association, Fulton said producers are better positioned for further domestic growth.
asserted
producers → say → growth
"I'm really very optimistic about what the opportunities are abroad, but keeping in mind our bread and butter is the domestic Canadian consumer," he said.
"We went
asserted
We → keep → mind
Last year, the beef cow herd grew in Canada 2.5 per cent, and my expectation is that we'll continue to see that growth because the incentives are there."
asserted
incentives → grow → growth
The Aporia
