Saskatchewan shoppers looking for a better deal on beef may find some Australian cuts are cheaper than their Canadian counterparts at grocery stores. At one Saskatoon grocery store, an Australian boneless rib steak is priced at $66.12 per kilogram, compared to $77.13 per kilogram for a Canadian boneless rib steak - a difference of about $11 per kilogram. Tyler Fulton, president of the Canadian Cattle Association, says quality is part of the reason for the price difference. He says Australian cattle are mostly raised on grass, with some grain feeding at the end, which he says results in leaner beef. “Quite simply, the result is beef product that typically has a little bit less marbling or fat,” he said, noting it’s generally not as high in demand. Fulton says another factor may be retailers using Australian beef as a “loss leader,” taking a loss on the product to bring people into the store. He says imported beef can help fill short-term gaps in supply as Canada’s cattle industry recovers from years of decline, and doesn’t see imports as a major concern for Canadian producers as the herd begins to rebuild. “We’re on a great trajectory to build the herd, but it takes time. And so, I think there’s just an appreciation that there’s a short-term need and Australia fills that.” Fulton says Australia is a reliable source of imported beef for Canada. He adds imports help ensure shoppers continue to have beef options at the meat counter.
