Thread by @FoodProfessor

We are having affordable Australian steak tonight.

And it's amazing...

Ever wonder why Australian steak can sell for less in Canada than Canadian steak—even in Canadian grocery stores?

Let’s break it down. 👇

1️⃣ High domestic costs

Canadian beef is produced under strict health, feed, and environmental standards. Add in land, labour, feed, transport, carbon taxes… all of it drives up prices...

2️⃣ Australia’s model

Australia is one of the world’s largest beef exporters.

➡️ Grass-fed, large-scale ranching
➡️ Lower production costs
➡️ Exporting built into their system

That’s why their steak often lands cheaper here...

3️⃣ Trade & currency

Thanks to trade deals like the CPTPP, tariffs on Aussie beef are falling.

Plus: if the Australian dollar is weak vs the Canadian dollar, their exports look even cheaper on our shelves...

4️⃣ Retailer strategy

Grocers like to offer imports as a “value” option. That way, they pressure Canadian packers and give shoppers a cheaper choice...

5️⃣ The paradox

Canadian beef fetches top dollars abroad (Japan, U.S., etc). Packers prioritize exports.

Result? Imports fill the gap at home—and sometimes cost less than local product.