Tyler Fulton, president of the Canadian Cattle Association, says that imported Australian beef fills a market void in Canada, particularly for steak-type cuts. Many factors contribute to the price difference between Canadian and Australian beef, including Australia's grass-based production system and a "loss leader" tactic used by retailers. Since 2018, when the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) took effect, Australia has had preferred access to the Canadian market, allowing it to export more beef to Canada than in previous years. According to Fulton, there is no big concern from Canadian beef producers about imported Australian beef, as they have confidence in its standards.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Canadian consumers can buy Australian beef at lower prices than domestic Canadian beef in grocery stores. The president of the Canadian Cattle Association, Tyler Fulton, attributes this disparity to a few factors. Firstly, the Australian production model is based on grass feeding with short grain feeding periods, resulting in leaner meat that isn't as preferred by Canadians. This leads to lower demand and prices for Australian beef. Additionally, retailers like Loblaws may use a "loss leader" tactic, selling Australian beef at a loss to attract customers who will then buy other products at higher prices. Australia has had increased access to the Canadian market since 2018, when the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was implemented. This has allowed more Australian beef to enter Canada, contributing to its lower price.
Written for “Australian Beef Prices” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
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stored, so you can find it in the original.
The score and its own evidence disagree: every quote above points
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The confidence has been set to low for that reason.
Leaning score -0.35 for article 1150 (low confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-08-24
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.
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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.
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he → be → cuts
Many factors contribute to the price difference, Fulton told CBC Saskatchewan.
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Fulton → contribute → Saskatchewan
"The Australian production model is a grass-based system that commonly has a short grain feeding at the end of it.
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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.
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that → tend → beef
"The other likely big factor here is that retailers will use a 'loss leader' tactic.
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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.
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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.
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he → say → beef
"It fills a short-term need or void in supply.
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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."
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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.
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News → talk → perspective
"I just can't spend that kind of money on one steak," said Karen Novak.
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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 …
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I → adjust → Wellington
So if any of our friends want to invite us over for a steak, I'll bring a salad."
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I → want → salad
Jordan Fieseler said he buys beef in bulk from local producers instead.
"
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he → say → producers
I think it makes sense if the price is so high that people are going to look to something cheaper.
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people → think → something
I'd prefer things to not come from a long distance away.
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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.
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he → get → past
Everyone's going to make their own choices," said Larry Evans.
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Evans → go → choices
"If the quality is not there, they probably won't, but it comes down to cost.
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it → come → cost
In the future, if beef keeps rising, I'll try some Australian.
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I → keep → Australian
"
Loblaws responded to a CBC request for comment with a statement.
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Loblaws → respond → statement
"In recent years, North American cattle supply has tightened while Australian beef production has increased, contributing to differences in market pricing.
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production → tighten → pricing
We remain committed to supporting Canadian beef producers while providing customers with choice and value," the statement said.
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statement → remain → choice
As for the Canadian Cattle Association, Fulton said producers are better positioned for further domestic growth.
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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
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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."
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incentives → grow → growth
