Canadian Meat Council aligns with agri-food exporters to support market access and reduce trade barriers during a pivotal period for global trade.
The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance and the Canadian Meat Council have announced that CMC has joined CAFTA as a Friend of the organization, marking an important step in strengthening agri-food trade advocacy at a critical time for Canada’s export-oriented sectors.
CAFTA represents producers, processors, and exporters across Canada’s agri-food value chain, advancing trade priorities in Ottawa and internationally to support market access and reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers. The inclusion of CMC expands CAFTA’s reach into one of Canada’s most trade-exposed industries and deepens representation across the broader agri-food sector.
Meat Sector Heavily Dependent on Trade Stability
Canada’s meat sector is closely tied to international markets, with strong reliance on North American trade under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement and extensive export relationships worldwide. Meat processing companies depend on stable, rules-based trade frameworks to serve both domestic consumers and overseas buyers.
As Canada prepares for the 2026 CUSMA Joint Review and exporters navigate an increasingly complex global trade environment, CMC’s alignment with CAFTA signals a coordinated effort to influence trade outcomes at both federal and international levels.
Speaking With a Unified Voice
Kyle Larkin, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Meat Council, said joining CAFTA comes at a pivotal moment for the industry.
“Joining as a Friend of CAFTA is a strategic step forward at a pivotal moment for our industry,” Larkin said. “With the 2026 CUSMA review on the horizon and global market volatility increasing, it is more important than ever that the agri-food sector speaks with a unified voice.”
Larkin added that meat processing companies rely on predictable, rules-based trade to reach more than 90 international markets and that CMC looks forward to working alongside CAFTA members to address tariff and non-tariff barriers that impede exports.
Major Contributor to Canada’s Economy
Meat processing is one of Canada’s largest manufacturing employers, generating $43.8 billion in annual sales and accounting for approximately 25 per cent of all Canadian food processing. The sector supports more than 300,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide.
CMC members process more than 90 per cent of Canada’s meat production, supplying domestic consumers while serving global markets across Asia, Europe, the Americas, and beyond. The sector’s scale and export dependency make trade policy outcomes particularly significant for its long-term competitiveness.
Strengthening CAFTA’s Advocacy Efforts
Greg Northey, President of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance, said the addition of the meat sector strengthens CAFTA’s ability to advocate for effective trade policy during a period of heightened uncertainty.
“CMC’s membership comes at an important time for Canada’s agri-food exporters,” Northey said. “Canada’s meat sector brings scale, market reach, and deep trade expertise. Its addition strengthens our ability to shape trade outcomes as Canada approaches the CUSMA review and other global trade negotiations.”
With CMC joining as a Friend, CAFTA further deepens its representation across the agri-food supply chain, from primary production through processing and into export markets.
Focus on Market Access and Trade Barriers
Together, CAFTA and CMC will advance shared priorities aimed at improving market access and reducing trade barriers for Canadian agri-food exports. This includes engaging with federal decision-makers, participating in international trade discussions, and ensuring industry perspectives are reflected in upcoming negotiations and reviews.