New Consumer Research Shows Strong Canadian Support for Gene-Edited Pork

New consumer research suggests Canadian shoppers are increasingly open to pork produced using gene-editing technology—particularly when clear benefits, such as reduced antibiotic use, are communicated.

The study, commissioned by PIC and conducted by Circana, surveyed more than 5,000 pork consumers across eight key countries. Canadian respondents demonstrated an above-average likelihood of purchasing pork from gene-edited pigs compared with global benchmarks.

Reduced Antibiotic Use Drives Interest

One of the most consistent findings from the research was the importance consumers place on responsible antibiotic reduction. For Canadian consumers, this benefit ranked as the top motivator for purchase, reinforcing the growing expectation that food production methods support both animal health and long-term sustainability.

A significant majority of respondents indicated openness to gene-edited pork, with many associating the technology with improved herd health outcomes and more responsible production practices.