Canada is investing more than $4 million in Canada Beef and the Canadian Cattle Association to grow exports and strengthen international trade.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald announced the funding during the Calgary Stampede through the federal AgriMarketing Program, part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The investment is intended to increase demand for Canadian beef, improve market access and diversify exports at a time when the industry is looking to reduce its dependence on a small number of key markets.

The largest share of the funding, up to $3.74 million over two years, will go to Canada Beef. The organization promotes Canadian beef and veal domestically and internationally and plans to use the funding to increase awareness of Canadian products and pursue new business opportunities in markets including Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Colombia and Germany.

The Canadian Cattle Association will receive up to $300,000 over the same period to support trade advocacy, strengthen relationships with international partners and promote science-based trade rules. The association plans to participate in federal trade missions and work with governments and international organizations to maintain and expand access for Canadian beef.

The announcement comes as Canada's cattle sector continues to benefit from historically strong cattle prices and renewed optimism following improved moisture conditions across much of Western Canada. Industry leaders say growing export markets remains essential because Canada produces more beef than its domestic market can consume. Continued access to international customers helps support cattle prices and creates opportunities for producers to expand their herds.

The federal government also announced an additional $75 million over five years for the AgriMarketing Program beginning in 2026-27. The new funding expands the program with dedicated market diversification streams for national industry associations and small and medium-sized businesses, helping agricultural sectors respond to market instability and develop new export opportunities.

The AgriMarketing Program currently operates under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3.5-billion agreement between federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports innovation, competitiveness and resilience across Canada's agriculture sector. The program focuses on helping Canadian agriculture develop export markets, increase domestic sales and improve the industry's long-term competitiveness.

For Alberta producers, where cattle represent one of the province's largest agricultural industries, expanding export opportunities is expected to remain a key priority as global demand for high-quality beef continues to grow. Industry groups say maintaining strong trade relationships while opening new markets will help protect producers against future trade disruptions and changing global market conditions.