News
Canadian Easter Meals Face Higher Costs Amid Rising Beef Prices
Canadian consumers will likely pay more for Easter meals this year, with beef prices up nearly 14 per cent. Experts do not expect beef prices to stabilize until mid-2027 due to low cattle inventory in Canada and the United States.
The cost of beef in Canada has increased almost 14 per cent year over year, according to consumer price index data. Other meats, such as pork and chicken, are also becoming more expensive as consumers respond to beef prices. According to Global News, Sylvain Charlebois, a professor at Dalhousie University, anticipates that prices will not stabilize before mid-2027, which he attributes to low cattle inventories in both Canada and the U.S. A supply crunch stems from challenges in the beef industry, including drought conditions in Western Canada that reduced herd sizes and limited production. While cattle numbers have started to increase slightly, it can take years to rebuild supply.
Key Facts
- Beef prices in Canada have increased by approximately 14 per cent compared to last year.
- Consumers planning to buy ham for Easter could pay significantly more as pork prices have also increased.
- Experts anticipate beef prices will not stabilize before mid-2027.
- Low cattle inventories in Canada and the United States are contributing to high beef prices.
- Drought conditions in Western Canada have reduced herd sizes and limited production.
- It can take years to rebuild cattle supplies.
Primary Source
Research Sources
- Global News — Canadians’ Easter meal to cost more this year as beef prices keep climbing