Webinar will highlight top tips on exporting red meat to Canada

The event will provide an overview of the key points to consider, including tips for route to market, compliance and customs clearances.

Participants will also be given access to information about imports, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, labelling requirements, documentation, and checklists to help ensure they are in the strongest possible position to maximise the export opportunities that Canada presents for UK pork, beef and lamb.

The webinar will feature a presentation from Ontario-based consultancy MCS Associates Inc., which provides expert advice to companies on regulatory and quality compliance of their products. It includes the development of regulatory compliant documentation and obtaining required licenses for importation into Canada.

Ouafa Doxon, market access manager, said:

“It is imperative for our exporters to continuously meet import requirements to maintain and protect our market access to Canada. The aim of our webinar is to equip them with the most up-to-date insight and information to help them achieve their export ambitions in this market.”

Analysis in our Prospects for UK agri-food exports: North America has highlighted that Canada is a net importer of lamb, with low levels of tariff protection for imports. While consumption per capita is low, there are pockets of high demand, with consumers placing emphasis on quality and ‘naturalness’. Factors such as grass-fed, organic, antibiotic-free and hormone-free will appeal to Canadian consumers.

Similarly for beef, grass-fed, organic, antibiotic-free and hormone-free will also present opportunities for UK exporters where premium products will appeal to Canadian consumers.

Premium is also key for UK pork exports to Canada, with an emphasis on outdoor-bred, organic and hormone-free.

The value of beef shipments from the UK to Canada in 2022 we worth £13.1m – up 77% on the previous year, while the value of sheep meat shipped to Canada increased 160%, up from almost £1.9m the previous year to almost £5m, while pork export value remained stable at £7.7m.

Ouafa added:

“Our analysis has highlighted that Canada is likely to offer improved opportunities for UK red meat exports over the next decade. In particular it will present further opportunities for premium red meat products that are differentiated from conventional domestic production.

“Levy payers have said they value AHDB’s work on export development and want to see more of it. This webinar forms part of our wider international market development work to help our levy payers benefit from the opportunities the Canadian market presents. I would therefore urge any UK red meat exporters with an interest in trading with Canada to register for the webinar.”