Where Does Your Meat Come From?
When considering where your groceries come from, there are several factors to take into account. Specifically, when it comes to meat, the majority of the cost to get it to your plate is almost evenly divided into three steps:
- Farms
- Processing
- Retail
Farms
Most industrial farms specialize in only one part of the livestock life cycle. For example, beef can be bred on one farm, "stocked" on another, and finished on a final one. These farms can be located anywhere in Canada or the USA.
If you want to ensure you’re getting 100% Canadian beef, look for “one farm” sources—meaning the cattle are born, raised, and finished on the same farm. Ottawa Valley Meats proudly sources only from these one-farm operations, guaranteeing truly Canadian beef.
Processors
At least one-third of the total cost of meat comes from processing. In Canada, up to 92% of the beef you see in stores is processed by just two companies:
- Cargill (American-owned) – The majority
- JBS (Brazilian-owned) – The minority
To keep jobs and money in Canada, look for beef processed by small, federally or provincially licensed plants. These are owned by Canadian families and keep processing costs within our country. Ottawa Valley Meats exclusively partners with small, family-run provincial and federal processors.
Retail
Maintaining proper sanitation, refrigeration, and transportation for meat is costly—nearly 30% of the price you pay at checkout is tied to these logistics.
Large chains like Walmart, Costco, and Whole Foods are American-owned, employing American workers and funneling profits back to the U.S. In contrast, Ottawa Valley Meats is proudly 100% Canadian—keeping jobs, tax dollars, and reinvestment within our own economy.
Support Canadian Agriculture!
With rising tariffs and economic uncertainty, Canada needs to support local more than ever. The agricultural industry relies on consumers making conscious choices to buy the MOST Canadian meat possible.
Choose local. Choose small farms. Choose Ottawa Valley Meats.
