First Research Canadian Industry Profile

The Canadian meat processing industry includes about 700 employer establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $30 billion. Large processors include Maple Leaf Foods (pork); Olymel (pork and poultry); Exceldor (poultry); Cargill Canada (beef); and JBS Canada (beef).

The industry includes businesses that slaughter animals, primarily cattle, hogs, and poultry. The industry also includes “boxed meat” plants that cut and pack purchased meats in an assembly line fashion, businesses that manufacture processed meats like hot dogs and sausage, and companies that render animal byproducts. This industry doesn’t include the manufacture of pet food or animal feed or the wholesale distribution of purchased meat.

Demand is driven by the export market for Canadian beef and pork, and domestic consumption of chicken. Small operations can compete by serving a local ... plus: