Federal AgriMarketing Funding Announcement
July 8, 2026
Calgary, AB — Today at the Calgary Stampede, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald announced federal AgriMarketing funding support for the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA). CCA is grateful for the financial support for international travel undertaken by CCA staff and elected representatives to promote Canadian beef production in existing and potential export markets.
Minister MacDonald announced CCA will receive up to $300,000 over two years for trade advocacy, to strengthen key international relationships and promote evidence-based, trade supportive rules. CCA travels internationally to help promote the Canadian beef advantage and to represent producers in global policy discussions. CCA staff and elected officials bring practical, on-the-ground expertise to inform decisions and ensure science-based data and real producer perspectives are reflected in global policy discussions. Our participation may be the only way to ensure that the Canadian experience, perspective and facts are shared.
“The Government of Canada is proud to support the continued growth and success of our beef sector,” said the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “The strategic investments in market development, promotion and trade advocacy help Canadian producers expand their reach and showcase the high quality of Canadian beef around the world.”
The funding announcement specifically covers travel to engage with partners and decision-makers in the United States and Mexico as well as for the recently completed Team Canada trade mission to Japan and future missions to South Korea and select Indo-Pacific markets. AgriMarketing funding also supports CCA advocacy efforts in attending events hosted by international standard-setting bodies such as the World Trade Organization, Codex Alimentarius, the World Organisation for Animal Health, and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Through attendance, CCA is able to establish and build long-term relationships and assure Canadian producers and the Canadian perspective are represented in international policy discussions.
CCA has worked tirelessly over the past 20 years on improved market access. Today, we have preferred access to virtually all important beef-importing countries. In 2025, we set a new record value for beef and live cattle exports in the range of $7.3 billion. Over $6.3 billion of that total was exported to the USA. While we continue to set new records in other markets, our number one export market is and will remain the USA.
Export trade contributes to making food more affordable in Canada. When it comes to beef specifically, we export products that are not highly desired in Canada to maximize carcass value for producers. The types of products that Canada exports to Asia for example are products that are not normally seen on retail counters in Canada. We are largely a steak, roast and ground beef market and they like short ribs, short plate, skirt meat, flanks, and chuck rolls. “With the support of the AgriMarketing program, the Canadian Cattle Association can invest our producer funding more effectively. AgriMarketing funding allows CCA to participate in federal trade missions, explore potential new export markets, and assure that the Canadian cattle producer voice and perspective is included in global policy decisions,” says CCA President Tyler Fulton. “We are grateful to have this financial support and the flexibility to determine how and where to focus our efforts.”
For further information, contact:
July 8–10
Ryder Lee, General Manager, Canadian Cattle Association
403-408-9356
ryder@cattle.ca
After July 10
Tina Zakowsky, Communications Manager, Canadian Cattle Association
403-451-0931
zakowskyt@cattle.ca
For a PDF of the release, click here
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