SALES AT RECORD HIGH, AMERICANS VIEW MEAT AS PART OF A HEALTHY, BALANCED LIFESTYLE
SALES AT RECORD HIGH, AMERICANS VIEW MEAT AS PART OF A HEALTHY, BALANCED LIFESTYLE
Trump’s Economic Chaos Isn’t a Side Effect – It’s Strategy
Trump’s Economic Chaos Isn’t Side Effect It’s Strategy
IFFA: Putting Sustainability into Action Canadian Meat Council Brings
IFFA: Putting Sustainability into Canadian Meat Brings
Protein PACT to Canada
Protein to Canada
Chinese Tariffs on Agricultural products: Challenges Experienced from Coast to Coast
Tariffs on Agricultural products: Challenges from Coast Coast
April 2025
Agritourism Ontario Launches Economic Growth Study
5 6 10 15 16 18 22 24 26
Sales at Record High, Americans View Meat as Part of a Healthy, Balanced Lifestyle
Trump’s Economic Chaos Isn’t a Side Effect – It’s Strategy
UFCW Responds to USDA Decision to Allow Higher Line Speeds
IFFA: Putting Sustainability into Action
Canadian Meat Council Brings Protein PACT to Canada?
USDA Moves to ‘Formalize’ Faster Line Speeds in Meatprocessing Plants
The Alizés Awards 2025: Excellence in Agri-Food Exporting Chinese Tariffs on Agricultural products: Challenges Experienced from Coast to Coast
April 2025 Volume 25 Number 4
PUBLISHER
Ray Blumenfeld ray@meatbusinesspro.com
CO-PUBLISHER
Deb Wilson deborah@meatbusinesspro.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Scott Taylor publishing@meatbusinesspro.com
DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR
Cam Patterson cam@meatbusinesspro.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Milan Nguyen, Cam Patterson, Jack Roberts
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Patrick Cairns
Meat Business Pro is published 12 times a year by We Communications West Inc
AGRITOURISM ONTARIO LAUNCHES ECONOMIC GROWTH STUDY
Agritourism Ontario (AO) has announced the launch of an economic growth study for Ontario’s agritourism sector. This project aims to understand the sector’s economic impact and chart a course for growth by identifying opportunities and challenges for Ontario’s vibrant agritourism industry. This project is bringing together experts in agriculture, rural economic development, and economic analysis to advance the understanding and identify meaningful opportunities for the sector.
The research will be conducted by Wilton Consulting Group in partnership with MNP.
“This project comes at a time when people are looking to support local more than ever. This important work will enable Agritourism Ontario to hear directly from farmers and the tourism industry to help us continue to grow and showcase how farms that offer agritourism are contributing to our local economy and a path forward for the next several years,” said Darlene Downey, Chair, Agritourism Ontario board of directors.
CO MMUNICATIONS W EST IN C
We Communications West Inc. 106-530 Kenaston Boulevard Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3N 1Z4
“Agritourism is driving growth across Ontario’s $51 billion agri-food industry,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “The threat of U.S. tariffs on our farmers and agribusinesses makes it more critical than ever to support Ontario families in purchasing world-class local food and exploring local agritourism opportunities. Our government will continue to protect our agritourism operators and strengthen the conditions for their long-term growth, no matter what may come our way.”
“As the voice for agritourism in Ontario, we look forward to identifying opportunities to help the industry thrive based on the experiences of on-theground of farmers and industry representatives. Our mission is to advocate for and support our members – those owning and operating diversified farms,” added AO CEO Kevin Vallier.
With a focus on engaging farmers who provide agritourism, the tourism sector, and agritourism visitors, the research will involve an industry-wide farmer survey, one-on-one interviews with key industry representatives, and research on sector challenges and opportunities. The findings will contribute to the understanding of Ontario’s agritourism sector as an important economic asset, and opportunities to support farm business development.
The project launched in February and will continue through December 2025.
For more information, visit https://agritourismontario.com/
SALES AT RECORD HIGH, AMERICANS VIEW MEAT AS PART OF A HEALTHY, BALANCED LIFESTYLE
POWER OF MEAT ANALYSIS MARKS 20TH ANNIVERSARY AT ANNUAL MEAT CONFERENCE
Meat sales hit a record high of $104.6 billion in 2024, pounds sold increased 2.3% compared to 2023, and consumers, on average, purchase meat more than once per week (Circana) - keeping meat the largest fresh department in grocery, according to the 20th annual Power of Meat report released today at the Annual Meat Conference by the Meat Institute and FMI—The Food Industry Association.
Nearly all (98%) of American households purchase meat (Circana), and 73% of Americans view meat as an overall healthy choice. Getting enough protein is very/ somewhat important to 90% of Americans, and animal proteins, including eggs (83%), chicken (82%) and beef (76%), top the list of foods that most consumers view as protein-rich foods.
Other priorities among meat shoppers include preparing comfort meals, having quick prep options, and getting creative with ingredients. The average American shops for meat 54 times per year and spends $16.12 on meat per trip (Circana).
Rick Stein, Vice President of Fresh Foods for FMI commented, “As shoppers’ definition of value has expanded to include price, quality, relevance, convenience and experience, they are including meat in 90% of home-cooked dinners and looking for various options to suit their schedules, tastes, and interests. Whether shoppers are looking for the convenience of new ground meats or incorporating semi-prepared options in their meal prep, the meat department delivers.”
Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts stated, “With most Americans (74%) so confident in meat as a nutrient powerhouse that is top of mind for protein needs, it’s no surprise people are buying more meat than ever. Meat Institute members are committed to making the nutrient-dense meat Americans need and keeping America’s farm economy thriving, today and for generations to come.”
The Power of Meat study was conducted by 210 Analytics on behalf of FMI—The Food Industry Association and the Meat Foundation and sponsored by CRYOVAC® Brand Food Packaging. Sales and purchase dynamics data are provided by Circana for the 52 weeks ending 12/29/24.
Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts added, “With most Americans (74%) so confident in meat as a nutrient powerhouse that is top of mind for protein needs, it’s no surprise people are buying more meat than ever. Meat Institute members are committed to making the nutrient-dense meat Americans need and keeping America’s farm economy thriving, today and for generations to come.”
THE POWER OF MEAT 2025
A sizzling meat department performance led to new sales records in 2024. Meat was the MVP of the fresh perimeter in 2024, with a record $105 billion in sales, 98.2% household penetration and 54 trips per year. Dollar sales grew 4.7% and pounds 2.3% year-on-year, with a lead role for beef. Ground beef was the number one in absolute dollar growth out of 85,000 centerstore and perishable subcategories (Circana MULO+).
Today’s meal lineup is heavily influenced by the external marketplace, with the meat department offering value. 94% of consumers are concerned over today’s cost of living, leading to more focus on price and promotions, but always together with taste and quality. More meal planning, more trips and larger packages corresponded to an increase in home-prepared dinners with meat. Both value and premium cuts/kinds grew as consumers sought to replace restaurant occasions.
Routine purchases are the department’s friend and foe: the top 10 sellers reflected 56% of unit sales in 2024. Purchasing a greater variety of cuts and kinds is the key to more home-prepared meals with meat/poultry - underscoring the importance of innovation, lowering trial barriers and growing confidence in selecting and preparing new cuts/kinds.
Taste is the ultimate driver of buying the same cut/ kind of meat or poultry again. 58% of consumers have tried-and-true meat/poultry favorites but would be interested in exploring more. The barriers are cost, habit and lack of cooking confidence beyond the basics. Top areas of interest for new recipes include comfort meals, quick preparation options and creative ways to cook with basic ingredients, such as chicken and ground beef. Younger shoppers are more interested in speedy, indulgent and global recipes.
94% of consumers can be persuaded to spend a little more on meat and poultry when the time is right. A hot sales promotion and holidays are the top reasons to spend a little more on meat/poultry - emphasizing the opportunity in leaning into primary, secondary and self-invented holidays. A cut or kind of meat/ poultry consumers deem healthier, a preferred pack size or brand and convenience can also prompt them to splurge.
Time-saving shortcuts are becoming standard fare but go beyond value-added meat/poultry. Balancing time and money, 53% of consumers describe their typical meal preparation as a mix of items cooked from scratch and semi- and/or fully prepared items. Consumers seek convenience in meal planning, shopping and preparation - increasingly integrating value-added, deliprepared and frozen meat and poultry solutions into their meal lineup.
More than 7 in 10 consumers believe meat and poultry are nutrient powerhouses and an overall healthy choice. Eating meat is the norm. The nation’s eye is on protein, with 90% believing it is important to consume ample protein daily, with 59% tracking their intake. Better consumer understanding of the benefits of highquality protein along with a focus on other key nutrients in meat/poultry could further strengthen nutrition’s positive role in meat/poultry purchases.
Consumers increasingly seek transparency into animal raising and sourcing standards. Half of consumers feel positive about animal raising practices in the U.S. and four in 10 trust that their grocery stores sell humanelyraised meat. Others are unclear or have doubts. A focus on animal welfare and/or environmental sustainability most commonly leads to purchasing meat/poultry with specific claims, such as humanely-raised, grass-fed and organic, which experienced strong sales growth in 2024.
The supermarket share of meat dollars continued to decline while EDLP formats gained share. Traditional grocery’s share of meat sales dropped from 52.8% in 2019 to 46.3% in 2024 - a shift of several billion dollars (Circana, all outlets). Driven by strong Millennial engagement, supercenters, clubs and online gained share over the past 20 years. Consumers increasingly regard case-ready meat as good or even better than meat and poultry that is cut in store but do seek portion size variety - both small and bulk packages, and packaging benefits such as extended shelf life.
With Millennials representing 62% of all new unit sales in 2024, the meat case of the future is upon us. In addition to adjusting for current marketplace trends focused on value, longer-term demographic shifts point to an opportunity to realign assortment, marketing and merchandising to reflect the growing Millennial role in meat sales. Millennials’ approach to meat and poultry is vastly different than that of Boomers, including the what, where and why. This points to a growing role for health benefits, convenience and sustainability as the factors driving the meat/poultry purchase are changing along with meal favorites, preparation devices, cook time and inspiration.
TRUMP’S ECONOMIC CHAOS ISN’T A SIDE EFFECT – IT’S STRATEGY
By Sylvain Charlebois – Troy Media
Trump’s tariffs and deglobalization agenda could crush Canada’s agri-food sector and Ottawa must respond before it’s too late
What if the dismantling of the global economy isn’t By Sylvain Charlebois – Troy Media a side effect but the very point of Donald Trump’s agenda?
Now in his second term multilateral trade frameworks, imposing aggressive tariffs and sowing uncertainty across global supply chains. He is deliberately attempting to rewire the global economy around the United States. It’s a high-risk strategy, but one that could prove devastatingly effective at reasserting American economic dominance while letting the rest of the world grapple with the fallout, including skyrocketing food prices and disrupted agricultural markets.
With Prime Minister Mark Carney calling a federal election for April 28, the stakes for Canada are immediate and high. Ottawa will soon have to decide how to respond to a shifting global food and trade order driven not by cooperation, but by raw power. While many in the West view Trump’s actions as reckless, even irrational, there’s reason to believe a deliberate playbook lies behind the chaos.
Trump has long criticized trade liberalization and globalization. His views on tariffs aren’t new: they date back more than three decades. And unlike many presidents who have built wealth via globally integrated industries, Trump built his fortune in real estate and media—sectors largely insulated from international competition. That perspective shapes his disdain for multilateralism and his preference for bilateral economic muscle.
Markets have responded accordingly. Since his return concerns over persistent inflation, economic slowdowns and erratic tariff policy. For the food sector, where margins are thin and supply chains complex, this environment has already increased input costs and weakened trade fluidity.
But beyond the noise, Trump appears to be pursuing a form of neo-mercantilism—a 21st-century take on the old economic doctrine that favours high tariffs, trade surpluses and strong state involvement to protect domestic industries and assert national power. His worldview echoes a pre-First World War model, where tariffs—not income tax—funded governments.
He rejects the post-war consensus: a multilateral order shaped by institutions like the World Trade Organization (WTO), International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, designed to foster global economic interdependence and stabilize food flows and commodity markets.
Instead, he envisions a new economic order centred solely on American leverage. His nostalgic vision of an “American Golden Age” involves reduced reliance on trade, reindustrialization and a consumer-driven economy detached from international obligations. In this light, what appears to be a self-sabotaging trade strategy could, in fact, be designed to compress global demand, suppress U.S. interest rates and reignite American middle-class consumption while exporting inflation and volatility abroad, particularly into emerging markets and food-importing nations.
The implications are profound. If global agri-food flows are destabilized in favour of U.S. self-sufficiency, nations like Canada—highly integrated into American supply chains—become uniquely vulnerable. Canada exports more than 50 per cent of its agri-food products, much of it to the U.S., including beef, wheat, canola, lentils and processed food products. Farm equipment, fertilizer inputs and food retail logistics also rely heavily on cross-border networks.
A weakened American dollar might soften some food prices at home, but the overall macroeconomic shock would be severe.
https://www.beaconmetals.com
In such a scenario, Canada’s agri-food sector would need to pivot fast: dismantle protectionist barriers, pursue new trade partnerships and invest heavily in domestic food resilience and value-added processing. But more fundamentally, Canada would need to recalibrate its agri-food geopolitical posture.
Ottawa’s recent hesitations—such as protecting an underdeveloped battery sector at the cost of agricultural diplomacy—signal a worrying misalignment. While others assess Trump’s return pragmatically, Canada risks being caught flat-footed, trapped in ideological bias rather than strategic foresight.
things further. His narrative frames the pandemic not as a global tragedy, but as a geopolitical affront from a communist regime to capitalist hegemony. In that sense, his economic retaliation through tariffs, reshoring and deglobalization may be viewed as a reassertion of U.S. supremacy.
If true, the consequences are not abstract. They will be felt at ports, in grin terminals and in grocery aisles.
And as Canadians prepare to vote on April 28, the ballot-box question won’t be how to deal with Donald Trump. It will be about how to respond to an evolving global food order, one increasingly shaped by two superpowers: the U.S. and China. This new agri-food world is not only real, it’s shifting by the day. And those who fail to adapt may find themselves not just behind but left out entirely.
Let’s hope that recognition comes soon.
About the Author
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Canadian professor and researcher in food distribution and policy. He is senior director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University and co-host of The Food Professor Podcast. He is frequently cited in the media for his insights on food prices, agricultural trends, and the global food supply chain.
Trump’s antagonism toward China only complicates
USDA MOVES TO ‘FORMALIZE’ FASTER LINE SPEEDS IN MEAT-PROCESSING PLANTS
Stating that “extensive research has confirmed no direct link between processing speeds and workplace injuries” at pork and poultry processing plants, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says it will “formalize” faster line speeds initially allowed at certain facilities as part of a trial period.
The agency also said it will no longer require plant operators to submit worker safety data, calling it “redundant.”
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the measures March 17, with USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service indicating in a press release that rulemaking “will begin immediately.”
In January, FSIS completed two separate studies that examined the effects of increased line speeds on poultry and pork processing worker safety. The agency concluded that increased line speeds in poultry and pork processing plants are not the “leading factor in worker musculoskeletal disorder risk” but combine with other factors to contribute to employees’ overall risk.
FSIS announced the poultry study in July 2022, stating the research would inform future rulemaking related to a poultry-line speed waiver issued under the agency’s New Poultry Inspection System. Participating facilities received a modified waiver permitting their line speeds to increase to 175 birds per minute from the current 140.
In November of that same year, the agency initiated a similar study for pork processing facilities that allowed certain plants to participate in a trial to operate at speeds exceeding the current maximum line speed of 1,106 hogs an hour. The agency previously had extended to May 15 the waiver and trial.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, we are cutting unnecessary red tape, empowering businesses to operate more efficiently, and strengthening American
agriculture – all while upholding the highest food safety standards,” Rollins said in the release.
Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, argues in a separate press release that “increased line speeds will hurt workers – it’s not a maybe, it’s a definite – and increased production speeds will jeopardize the health and safety of every American that eats chicken.”
He added: “Worker safety must be a priority, and these facilities cannot operate at these speeds without increased staffing, which cannot happen the way they are constructed now. Issuing waivers to a multi-billion dollar industry with no oversight to ensure it’s done safely and properly is a recipe for disaster.”
UFCW RESPONDS TO USDA DECISION TO ALLOW HIGHER LINE SPEEDS
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), which represents 1.2 million workers in meatpacking, food processing, grocery, retail, and other essential industries across North America, released a statement in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement that it will instruct the Food Safety and Inspection Service to extend waivers allowing pork and poultry facilities to operate at higher line speeds. Earlier this year, the USDA released two studies that showed the adverse impact of line speeds on poultry and pork workers.
UFCW International President Marc Perrone said, “Our members work tirelessly every day in America’s pork and poultry plants, helping families put food on the table. They know firsthand that these jobs are already physically demanding and high-risk. Extending these waivers without additional safety measures will only lead to more injuries, more workplace accidents, and a greater risk of food contamination.
“We are again calling for a full range of safety measures to include additional staffing, improved reporting of workplace injuries, expanded access to early and adequate medical treatment, and job modifications that minimize ergonomic stressors.
“The safety of our food depends on the safety of the workers who process it. The decision to allow facilities to operate at higher speeds without any additional safety measures only puts workers and consumers at risk.”
IFFA: PUTTING SUSTAINABILITY INTO ACTION
The meat processing industry is a sector characterized by high energy, water and material consumption. Therefore, production and packaging processes should be as sustainable and resource efficient as possible. This is not only good for the environment, but it also increases efficiency and cuts costs. The world's leading trade fair for the sector, IFFA – Technology for Meat and Alternative Proteins, is showcasing the technologies used for this under the top theme of ‘Putting sustainability into action’.
Be it energy efficiency, process efficiency or resource efficiency, “Sustainability is invariably linked to efficiency,” says Klaus Schröter, Chairman of the VDMA Process Technology Division for Meat and Protein Processing: “Accordingly, machine and plant manufacturers are constantly developing solutions to reduce the consumption of media and materials, such as water, cooling, cleaning agents and compressed air. Where waste heat is generated, we utilize it in other operational areas. We also integrate solar technology into processes to make them more energy efficient.”
Energy efficiency is the greatest lever for improving sustainability in food production and, therefore, reducing costs because heat generation and the subsequent cooling process account for up to 60% of all energy consumed. Heat is needed for all kinds of food preparation, as well as sterilizing and cleaning; chilling is needed to cool meat and thus ensure food safety, etc.
When it comes to energy efficiency, heat pumps are increasingly the technology of choice in the meat processing industry. In conjunction with compressor-based process-cooling systems, they facilitate environmentally friendly cooling and heating in a continuous cycle, which can reduce energy consumption by around 30% and cut CO2 emissions by as much as 50 percent by making fossil-fuelled boilers superfluous.
AND HYGIENIC DESIGN
Like waste heat, waste water from the production stage can also be recycled and utilized for less critical processes such as cleaning or cooling. A common method for recycling process water is by treating it using filtration technologies such as ultrafiltration or reverse osmosis. In addition to waste-water treatment, the hygienic design of machines and systems is another way of using water efficiently and sustainably. Fully enclosed machine bodies, sloping polished stainlesssteel surfaces and flush-mounted panels help reduce the consumption of water and cleaning agents.
NEW SURREY SLAUGHTERHOUSE ‘WOULD OPEN DOOR’ TO NEW BEEF MARKETS
Proposed 30,000-square-foot beef abattoir in Cloverdale would be B.C.’s largest such facility
By Amy Reid, Peace Arch News
A federally licensed beef processing facility is in the works in Surrey, BC.
“There’s a new building coming forward, a new abattoir, I think that’s the French pronunciation of slaughterhouse,” said Councillor Mike Starchuk. “So Surrey will have a newer facility with a better capacity so people will have the ability to not have to ship an animal to Alberta to have it processed. The applications have gone through the Agricultural and Food Sustainability Advisory Committee.”
Heat pumps can also prevent excess heat from leaving the refrigeration system unused by heating it to 90 degrees and using it elsewhere, e.g., for washing and cleaning, or to heat water for other processes, such as pasteurization, bleaching and drying. A logical next step in moving towards CO2-neutral production in the meat industry is the installation of photovoltaic systems to power heat pumps or the introduction of biogas plants that generate energy using organic waste from meat production. In this way, a medium-sized abattoir can save around 1,500 tonnes of CO2 a year.
The facility is proposed on a 25-acre property within the Agricultural Land Reserve at 5175 184th St. The planned 30,000-square foot abattoir in Cloverdale would process up to 100 head of cattle per day.
According to a city report, that would make it larger than any other processing facility in B.C.. But it would still be small by industry standards, compared to the largest meat processing plants in Alberta that process 3,000 heads of cattle per day.
The proposed facility would be fully enclosed and designed
“Our focus is on trying to bring a more efficient, sustainable local product to the market, realizing we can do that now in a very limited sense,” said Les. “I caution people when talking to them and they say, ‘What a big plant, that’s going to go allow you to go mainstream.’ Well, yes, if you look in the context of B.C., but this is still a very niche plant and we’ll serve a niche industry for producers and for the market. It’s certainly not going to be a monstrosity of a plant but it’ll be a big upgrade from the site currently.”
Artificial intelligence (AI) is another important driver when it comes to making production processes more sustainable. One example is the AI-aided regulation of cold stores. AI automatically adjusts the cooling curve, which can significantly reduce power consumption and CO2 emissions. Continued on Page 20
ARTISAN BUSINESSES ARE INHERENTLY MORE SUSTAINABLE THAN LARGE INDUSTRIAL COMPANIES.
“They stand for regional structures, short transport distances and minimal packaging,” says Herbert Dohrmann, President of the German Butchers' Association. “That's why sustainability has its origins in the artisan sector.” Nevertheless, it is also possible to reduce the consumption of energy and resources in many small and medium-sized businesses. Specialist butchers or butcher's shops, for example, which use a lot of machinery, pumps or compressors, can significantly cut their electricity consumption by installing optimization systems that detect and eliminate disturbances in the power grid, such as reactive currents, frequency shifts or voltage fluctuations. As a result, energy consumption can be reduced by up to 20%.
Intelligent motor control systems improve machine efficiency by providing exactly the power required. Take cutting machines, for example, where, depending on the resistance, a control module regulates motor power so full torque is only developed for products that are difficult to cut. Thanks to demand-oriented regulation, such devices use up to 45% less electricity than conventional machines. Further savings can be achieved through modern drive technology, e.g., servomotors in vacuum filling machines or cutters. Given the high price of industrial electricity, such investments are likely to pay off very quickly.
Packaging is an important aspect of the transition to a circular economy that produces as little waste as possible through reuse and recycling. The legal framework for this is the new EU Packaging Regulation, which came into force on February 11, 2025 and affects almost all sectors, including the meat-processing industry. This new regulation stipulates, inter alia, that 40% of packaging must be reusable by 2030 and 70% by 2040.
BIO-BASED PACKAGING INCREASES THE RECYCLING RATE
Certain proportions of recycled materials are also specified. For example, packaging that is not made of PET and comes into contact with food must consist of 10% recycled materials by 2030 and 25% by 2040. The regulation even affects the design of packaging to ensure it is as light, small and separable as possible.
DF: Yes, I think we were the first farm east of Ontario as far as I understand. I’m not sure why the eastern associations wouldn’t have previously nominated anybody because there are many farms here on PEI doing every bit as much as we are as to attain a high level of sustainability. Anyway, we were very surprised when the PEI Cattleman’s Association nominated our farm.
CMB: And then you were attending the Canadian Beef conference in Calgary and you won.
Researchers are therefore working on biobased alternatives made from regenerative raw materials, such as seaweed, and which can either be recycled or composted. Enzymes are incorporated into the bioplastics for more effective composting. Multilayer composites can be separated and recycled via the enzymatic degradation of an intermediate layer.
DF: Yeah! That was a very nice moment for us. But I don’t like to use the word win actually. However, being recognized for our commitment was a real honour. If you want to know the truth, it was a pretty humbling experience. As I said to CBC when they phoned me after the conference, I was just floored, really couldn’t believe it.
CMB: So now that you have been recognized, do you think that will draw more attention and garner more nominations out of Atlantic Canada going forward?
DF: Absolutely. We’ve gotten a lot of good press highlighting the island cattle industry. I’m positive you’ll see more farms in our neck of the woods nominated next year. And I have to give the Canadian Cattleman’s Association recognition for choosing a farm from Prince Edward Island. We are small players in the national beef industry and I think it was a real credit to their organization to recognize us. They treated all the nominees royally and it was a real class act. It was a wonderful experience.
Coatings based on whey protein reduce oxygen permeability. Another trend is the replacement of conventional plastic packaging by paper composites. Paper composite packaging coated with nanocellulose is a mono-material that is 100% recyclable via the waste-paper stream. The cellulose also acts as an oxygen barrier. To increase the recycling rate, research is also being carried out into improving the separability of common multilayer packaging. The Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging, IVV, is using a solvent-based process that separates target plastics as monomaterials from mixed plastics or composites and turns them into highquality regranulates, which significantly increases the recycling rates for composite packaging and multilayer films.
For more information on IFFA, visit https:// iffa.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en.html
https://www.yesgroiup.ca
CANADIAN MEAT COUNCIL BRINGS PROTEIN PACT TO CANADA
The Canadian Meat Council (CMC) has launched the Protein PACT sustainability framework for the Canadian meat processing sector. This initiative aims to enhance sustainability practices across the industry, aligning with global standards while addressing critical issues.
The Protein PACT, developed by the U.S. based Meat Institute, is a partnership uniting stakeholders across the animal protein industry to accelerate progress toward global sustainable development goals, focusing on people, animals, communities, and the environment.
By bringing the Protein PACT to Canada, CMC members will be able to collaboratively and pre- competitively advance the sustainability of the animal processing sector. By adapting this framework for Canada, the CMC is empowering Canadian meat processors to collaborate on shared sustainability goals and work together to improve North American-wide practices.
“Canada’s red meat processing sector have sophisticated science-based practices and outcomes across their establishments and systems in place,” says CMC President & CEO Chris White “this initiative will provide a vehicle to broadly communicate these initiatives and demonstrate our leadership to key stakeholders.”
Through initiatives like the Protein PACT, the North American meat processing industry is poised to make even greater strides in advancing sustainability and meeting the challenges of the future.
“By uniting industry stakeholders under a common framework, the Protein PACT will ensure that Canada’s meat processors can continuously improve their operations to achieve the highest standards of sustainability, transparency, and accountability,” adds Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts.
For more information on the Protein PACT, visit www. TheProteinPACT.org .
ABOUT THE CANADIAN MEAT COUNCIL
The Canadian Meat Council (CMC) is the national voice of the Canadian meat processing industry, representing members who produce beef, pork, and other meat products for Canadian and global markets. The CMC is committed to advancing the interests of its members through advocacy, education, and the promotion of best practices across the industry. Learn more by visiting, cmc-cvc.com.
ABOUT THE MEAT INSTITUTE
The Meat Institute represents the full community of people and companies who make the majority of meat American families rely on every day. The Meat Institute’s hands-on regulatory and technical expertise, proactive advocacy, unique convening power, collaboration within and beyond animal agriculture, and sector-leading continuous improvement initiatives drive relationships and resources that ensure meat continues to be a vital, trusted pillar of healthy diets and thriving communities for generations to come. To learn more, visit: MeatInstitute.org.
ABOUT THE PROTEIN PACT
The Protein PACT unites partners across animal protein to accelerate the entire sector’s progress toward global sustainable development goals for healthy people, healthy animals, healthy communities, and a healthy environment. Protein PACT partners are establishing transparent baselines and benchmarks, setting ambitious targets for continuous improvement, collecting data to verify and transparently report on progress, and launching comprehensive communications about animal protein’s unique place in healthy diets and sustainable food systems. To learn more, visit www.TheProteinPACT.org
THE ALIZÉS AWARDS 2025: EXCELLENCE IN AGRI-FOOD EXPORTING
Ten finalists stand out for their international success and diversification strategies, a Group Export Agri-Food initiative
The Alizés Awards, presented by Farm Credit Canada (FCC), highlight the success of Canadian companies in both Canadian and international markets by announcing the finalists in four categories. The winners will be revealed in Toronto on April 29, 2025, at the Alizés Evening, an initiative by Group Export AgriFood, organized alongside the Salon international de l’alimentation (SIAL).
"Currently, agri-food exporting companies are analyzing market options to ensure diversification and increase resilience. Being a finalist for the Alizés Awards is a unique opportunity to receive significant recognition from industry leaders in Canada and abroad, while accelerating their market development strategies," emphasizes Martin Lavoie, CEO of Group Export.
The jury selected between two and three finalists per category. The chosen companies distinguished themselves through their development strategies, success in various markets, and the originality of their deployment tactics:
SME FONDS DE SOLIDARITÉ FTQ
• Turkey Hill Sugarbush
• Oliméga – Signé Caméline
LARGE COMPANY FCC
• Boulart
• Russet House
• Olymel
CANADIAN MARKET NATIONAL BANK AWARD
• Aliments Ouimet – Cordon Bleu
• Medallion Milk Co
• Villa Ravioli
INNOVATIVE EXPORT STRATEGY INNO-CENTRE
• Boulart
• Rustica Foods
• NOA - Monsieur Cocktail
"The jury carefully reviews each submission and is committed to making a rigorous selection to choose the finalists. Once again, this year, we received numerous high-quality applications, a testament to the enthusiasm generated by this event," announced the chairman of the Alizés Awards jury, Louis Turcotte, National Vice-President, Corporate Financing and Senior Accounts at FCC.
ABOUT THE GROUP EXPORT AGRI-FOOD
NSF INTERNATIONAL FOCUSES ON CANADIAN FOOD INDUSTRY WITH NEW WEBSITE FOR SERVICES IN CANADA
With over 450 members, the Group Export Agri-Food offers a variety of services to support Quebec-based agri-food export companies and facilitate their access to Canadian and international markets. The initiator of the Alizés Awards and the Agri-Food Export Summit, as well as one of the shareholders of SIAL Canada, the association is a key player in the industry.
Global public health organization showcases services for Canada’s growing and fast-changing food industry
NSF International in Canada recently launched a new website - www.nsfcanada.ca - to give Canada’s growing and complex food and beverage industry easy access to the global public health organization’s expertise and services in Canada. The website combines information on the depth, experience and capabilities of the NSF International Canadian office with access to NSF International’s global services dedicated to food safety and quality.
Candidates no longer simply present their export successes to the jury. In fact, Éric Waterman, VicePresident - Agri-food at Inno-centre, has noticed "a positive trend emerging in recent years regarding candidates’ initiatives in sustainable development and GHG management. This aspect has become essential for diversifying export markets, especially in Europe, and the applications reflect this reality quite well.'"
Evolving regulations across countries and increasing complexities associated with a globalized food supply network present challenges for NSF International clients in Canada and around the world. The new Canadian website offers expertise and services to help companies navigate these challenges, including certification and auditing, consulting, technical services, training and education, food and label compliance, packaging, and product and process development.
NSF International’s Canadian website provides information on the following services:
Four other members of the agri-food industry also participated in the jury deliberations: Benoit Tétrault, Director, Private Equity and Impact Investing, Agri-food, Consumer Goods and Health at Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Karen Trujillo, Commercial Account Director, Agrifood Sector at Export Development Canada, Michel Sirois, Vice-President of Agri-Food at National Bank of Canada, and Martin Lemire, Vice-President at Edikom.
Certification & auditing: Third-party food safety audits and certifications, which are integral components of supplier selection and regulatory compliance. Accurate audits are the first step toward successful verification of a company’s food safety system, providing improved brand protection and customer confidence. Certifications and audits are available for animal and produce in the agriculture industry, GFSI certification and management system registration.
Consulting: A full-service team approach providing technical resources, expertise and insight for a wide range of food safety and quality services. NSF International provides finished product inspection testing for food, packaging and non-food testing for rapid analysis and insight to protect the brand, technical support services from on-site temporary or permanent technical staffing placements, and various types of consulting.
The Group Export Agri-Food would like to thank FCC, presenter of the Alizés Awards, the ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAC), Inno-centre, Fonds de solidarité FTQ, National Bank, Export Development Canada (EDC), L’actualité ALIMENTAIRE, Agro Québec, and SIAL Canada for their support in the success of the Alizés Awards and the Alizés Evening.
Technical services: A one-stop solution for food product compliance and formulation, from concept to finished product, including food and label compliance, packaging, product and process development, and shelf-life and product evaluation.
Training and education: Training for the global food and beverage industry across the supply chain as an
accredited International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) site. Topics include HACCP, food safety and quality, GFSI benchmarked standards, regulations (including FSMA), food science, food packaging, food microbiology and ISO standards. Training modalities include eLearning, on-site, customized and open enrolment.
Additionally, the website includes information about management system registrations for the food, automotive, environmental, information security, medical devices, aerospace and chemical industries, as well as for Ontario drinking water programs.
Visit the new Canadian website at www.nsfcanada.ca to review the food safety services capabilities video, find a list of Canadian food experts, learn about upcoming events and global news releases, submit a question or read an FAQ.
https://www.yesgroup.ca
CHINESE TARIFFS ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS: CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED FROM COAST TO COAST
After the United States, China is a notable market for Canadian businesses. From agricultural and consumer products to energy, infrastructure and health services, China and Canada have a relationship that goes back to 1970. China is Canada’s second top agri-food and seafood export market since 2012. That is why the recent news of Chinese tariffs alarmed agri-businesses throughout Canada.
In response to Canada imposing a 100% surtax on all Chinese-made Electric Vehicules (EVs) and a 25% surtax on Chinese steel and aluminum, China countered by imposing tariffs on Canadian agricultural products. This list includes but is not limited to canola oil, canola meal, peas, lobster and pork. The impacts of these Chinese tariffs can be felt from coast to coast according to a region’s main export.
In the West, the canola oil industry is most impacted. This is because, together, the United States and China make up more than half of Canada’s canola exports. The continued uncertainty around the tariff situation has created an unfavourable economic climate for canola producers, making it difficult to find buyers.
This has left many managing unsold inventory, dealing with losing contracts and navigating limited options of practical alternatives — forcing some to pivot. As a result, they need to absorb the financial loss and explore less profitable crops.
In the East, the aquaculture industry is most impacted. This is because China is an important market for Canadian lobster. They are Canada’s second largest fish and seafood market due to lobster fishing. The industry was already navigating challenges before the imposition of Chinese tariffs. Now, rising operational costs and increased barriers to exportation are compounded with limited access to the Chinese market and economic uncertainty for fishers and processors. This trade disruption has prompted lobster producers who relied on the Chinese markets to quickly seek new global markets.
Affected agri-businesses are now seeking to shift their focus away from China and diversify towards other countries like Japan and the United Kingdom who are among our top 5 trading partners for all products.
CFIB has called on the government to provide support to small businesses. We also welcomed the Minister of Agriculture’s recent announcements to expand the AgriStability compensation rate and to double the payment cap to help producers affected by Chinese tariffs. If government could quickly dispense the payments without burdening agri-businesses with additional red tape, they could now get the additional and meaningful support that they need to weather this storm.
1. Statistics Canada, Exports of grains, by final destination, Table: 32-10-0008-01 (formerly CANSIM 001-0015), 2019. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/ tv.action?pid=3210000801
2.Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canada’s Fish And Seafood Trade in 2023: Overview, July 2024. https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2024/mpodfo/Fs1-89-2023-eng.pdf.
Milan Nguyen is a Bilingual Legislative Coordinator for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). CFIB is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members (5,200 agri-business members) across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.
https://www.yesgroup.ca
201 Don Park Road Unit 1, Markham, Ontario, L3R 1C2 Phone: 905-470-1135 1-800-465-3536 Fax: 905-470-8417
Website: www.yesgroup.ca email: sales@yesgroup.ca
Remco and The Yes Group Protecting
your Customers
Remco products are colour-coded to help divide the production cycle into different zones. By identifying these zones as different cleaning areas, the movement of bacteria around the production area can be blocked.
Our products were developed with the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) in mind.
No matter what colour-coding plan is implemented, Remco Products from The Yes Group provides significant added value at no additional cost. From scoops to squeegees, from brushes to shovels, we have the products and the colours to enhance any professional quality assurance program.
