China has lifted its years-long ban on Canadian beef exports — a move industry officials hope will contribute to the sector’s growth and support future market diversification. “The beef producers should be enthusiastic,” said Gordon Houlden, director emeritus of The China Institute at the University of Alberta. “If we can lever an improved political relationship to help the beef industry, that’s a good thing,” Houlden added. Beef not immediately entering Chinese marketsDespite the encouraging message sent by lifting the ban, Laycraft said it doesn’t mean Canadian beef will be able to enter the Chinese market right away. For The National, CBC’s Paula Duhatschek breaks down what’s making meat so expensive and what it will take to stabilize the Canadian market.

Source: CBC News January 21, 2026 17:25 UTC