Buying Canadian Beef
In this section:
Integrated
North American Market
Importing
Canadian Beef
U.S.
Food Industry Perceptions
Country
of Origin Labelling
Suppliers
Canada and the U.S. are each other’s largest trading partner, in 2006 the value of total trade between these two countries was over $560 billion. Canada/U.S. trade supports over 7 million jobs in the U.S.
The U.S. is Canada’s largest beef export market, taking 77.5 % of Canadian beef exports. Canada is the largest supplier of grain fed beef to the U.S. (preferred by U.S. consumers). Canadian beef makes up about 3% of total beef consumption in the U.S.
Meat (including beef), poultry and egg products exported from another nation into the U.S. must meet all safety standards applied to foods produced in the United States. Determining that another country's inspections systems are equivalent to those in use in the U.S. is the job of the Food Safety and Inspection System (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for overseeing federal meat inspection. Only processors approved by CFIA are permitted to export beef. A list of beef processors approved by CFIA to export to the U.S. is available from
CFIA.
In addition to importing from foreign establishments that meet FSIS equivalency standards and have been approved to export to the U.S., the U.S. government has a myriad of other import regulations that must be met. The complexities and dynamics of international trade are such that an importer will find it extremely beneficial to work with a customs broker. A customs broker acts as an agent for an importer in conducting business. The broker is well-versed in and keeps abreast of changes in the law and administrative procedures, and is in contact with over 40 government agencies that have an interest in import regulations, such as the USDA, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Homeland Security etc. Additional information is provided by the U.S. government's International Trade Data System.
A survey * of 230 senior level personnel in the retail, restaurant and hotel industries
in the U.S. was conducted by an independent market research firm to determine the
importance of individual beef quality standards maintained by the Canadian Beef
grading system. A summary of key results is provided below:
Bright Red Meat Color
Approximately 90% of respondents stated they preferred beef which was selected on
the basis of bright red meat color and where “dark-cutting” beef was
excluded.
White Fat Color
More than 85% of respondents indicated they preferred to purchase beef that was
selected to deliver white or light amber colored fat and would not include yellowish
or off color fat.
Firm Beef Texture
In total, 92% of respondents stated they prefer to purchase beef products selected
to consistently deliver firm muscle texture.
Marbling Standards
Use of the USDA standards for measuring marbling was considered an important consideration
for delivering consistent quality by more than 95% of respondents from the retail
sector. The Canadian marbling standards were changed in 1996 to mirror the copyrighted
USDA marbling standards of the United States.
Quality Standards
More than 95% of the individuals interviewed agreed that "grading standards designed
to consistently deliver beef with white or light amber colored fat, bright red meat
color and firm muscle texture" would provide their company with a quality advantage.
The overall results of the beef quality perceptions survey indicate that Canadian
Beef grading standards reflect the preferences of the U.S. market place.
MeatCool.info provides trade partners with the latest and most pertinent information
on implementing Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling for meat products in the US.
Visit MeatCool.info
for the most recent headlines.
Atlantic Beef Products (902) 437-2727
Albany, Prince Edward Island
www.abpi.ca
Cargill Better Beef (519) 823-5200
Guelph, Ontario
www.betterbeef.ca
Cargill High River
Cargill (800) 835-2837
Cargill Food Distribution Centers:
Chicago IL (630) 739-1746
Denver CO (303) 399-9515
Miami FL (305) 826-3699
Mount Holly NJ (609) 265-3900
Oklahoma City OK (405) 681-7675
Salt Lake City UT (801) 972-4545
Tracy CA (Northern) (209) 832-0118
Vernon CA (Southern) (323) 583-0801
www.cargillmeatsolutions.com/about_us/tk_cms_about_loc_beef_AL_CA.htm
Ryding Regency Meat Packers
Toronto, Ont.
(416) 767-3343
www.rydingregency.com
St. Helens Meat Packers
Toronto, Ont.
(416) 769-1788
www.sthelensmeat.com
XL Foods
Calgary, Alta
(800) 661-3180
www.xlfoods.com
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