June 24, 2013

Canada's 2012 beef consumption was 20 kilogrammes (kg) per head, a 1.1% rise, while pork consumption rose by 4% to 16.8 kg, but chicken consumption fell by 0.8% to 30 kg.

This is according to figures from the Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA).

The CAA said that chicken consumption was at its peak in 2007 when it reached 31.6 kg per head. Overall, total per capita meat consumption was up 1% to 66.8 kg in 2012.

"Over the last 40 years Canadians have consumed between 66 and 75 kg of protein annually with a long term average of 69.7 kg per capita," the CAA said.

Gains in all protein categories indicate a more confident consumer for the first time since the global financial crisis in 2008.

Beef consumption last year was hit by lower exports and larger imports in the fourth quarter of 2012 following the XL Foods E.coli recall in September.

"Despite domestic beef production being down 7%, trade volumes resulted in larger net beef supplies," the CAA said.

Total beef consumption in Canada was up 2% to 954,740 tonnes with exports down 21% and imports up 6% for the year. The proportion of beef coming from imports increased to 27% in 2012 from 26% in 2011. This is back in line with the long term average and inching closer to the 2001-02 levels of 32%.

Last summer the media made consumers aware of the drought conditions and the potential impact it would have on food prices. As such nominal retail beef prices increased 6.7% in 2012, after being up 6% in 2011 and 5.7%.