Canada pork exports limited by increased domestic demand - GAIN

Increased Canadian consumption has been a positive for pork producers, however, this has also been the result of lower export volumes, according to a recent US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic on supply chains and processing disruption, export demand for pork and Canadian production levels sustained strong export volumes from 2020 through 2022. Even with some Canadian plants suspended from China as a result of COVID- 19 cases, Canadian export volumes were large as a result of global demand and production impacts due to African Swine Fever (ASF) in other regions. However, smaller domestic production, increased consumer demand, and will support increased pork import volumes in 2023. These import volumes will be reduced slightly in 2024, with lowered production in the United States and European Union. The United States will remain the main supplier of Canadian pork imports, advantaged by geographic proximity and established supply chains.