Canadian cattle exports hit nearly 15-year low, but imports rise

Canadian cattle exports have been at one of their lowest levels in 15 years since the beginning of the year, while imports are rising.

“Canadian cattle exports in the first half of 2021 were down 23% from 2020 and were 26% lower than the 5-year average,” said Jason Wood, livestock market analyst at Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “From the beginning of the year to date, Canadian cattle exports in 2021 were the lowest in about 15 years.”

A number of factors have contributed to the decline in cattle exports, Wood said. This includes an increase in the US cattle population starting in 2014. The number of beef cows in the US increased by more than 2.6 million HEAD, which reduced the need to import live cattle. Since 2014, Canada's cattle population has decreased by 297,000 heads, reducing the available supply of cattle for EXPORT. Canadian cattle processing capacity also increased, supporting the growth of the Canadian cattle fattening industry, which supported domestic demand for cattle.   

In 2020, Canadian live exports were 669,670 head, down 7% from 2019 and 6% below the five-year average. Exports of live cattle from CANADA to the US are on a downward trend, being 46% lower in 2020 than in 2014. Feed livestock exports in 2020 decreased by 36% compared to 2019 and by 73% compared to 2014.

“Demand for cattle has turned Canada into a net feedstock importer in recent years,” Wood explains. “Between January and April 2021, 134,660 heads were imported from the US, up 95% from 2020 and more than double the amount from 2019.”

And this fact will be taken into account when preparing the monthly analytical report Meatinfo.ru