Government of Canada invests in increasing bison exports
Canada wants to build markets in the US and Europe
2 August 2022
2 minute read
Canada's minister of agriculture Marie-Claude Bibeau announced recently an investment of up to $133,611 over two years to support economic growth for Canada's bison industry.
Helping bison producers seize market opportunities for their high-quality products contributes to a healthy, sustainable economy, said the government press release. With funding under the AgriMarketing Program, the Canadian Bison Association will be provided with the necessary resources to increase its efforts to expand and grow market access in Europe and to increase exports of Canadian bison to the United States. This funding supports the delivery of the International Bison Convention 2022 as well as other engagement and advocacy activities.
The bison industry is an increasingly important contributor to the Canadian economy, with live bison and bison meat exports reaching nearly $90 million in 2021. Demand is growing as more consumers look to bison as a source of lean, nutrient-dense, naturally grown meat. Bison are also gaining favour among eco-conscious consumers as the livestock help balance and maintain a healthy ecosystem where they graze and interact.
Increasing bison exports translates into economic activity all along the value chain, including for the many rural communities where producers operate. As our economic recovery continues, the Government of Canada is supporting the bison industry with the resources it needs to reclaim important markets and increase exports to spur economic growth.
"This investment is very important in assisting the bison industry in rebuilding European markets as well as supporting strategies to ensure growth in exports to the United States," said Terry Kremeniuk, executive director of the Canadian Bison Association. "A significant portion of the increase in consumer awareness and exports globally can be attributed to the ongoing funding received through the AgriMarketing Program."
There are nearly 150,000 bison on over 980 farms in Canada. Bison production in Canada is concentrated in the west, with 79% of the herd in Saskatchewan and Alberta. The Canadian Bison Association is a national, non-profit association representing the interests of the bison industry and its 550 members in Canada.
