Corporate concentration
Some of the largest agri-business companies in the world are the proponents of factory farming in Canada. Smaller companies are often linked to larger one through vertical integration and contracts.
Agri-business corporations are often the main beneficiaries of agricultural support programs, government incentives and tax breaks.
Beef
The beef industry in Canada is dominated by two companies, Cargill and Lakeside Packers Inc. which is a division of Tyson, the largest meat-packing corporation in the world.
Pork
The largest hog producers in Canada are:
| Producer | Location | #sows 2003 |
|---|---|---|
| Maple Leaf Foods (Elite Swine) | Landmark, Manitoba | 122,000 |
| Premium Pork | Lucan, Ontario | 47,000 |
| Hytek | LaBroquerie, Manitoba | 40,000 |
| Isoporc | Ange Gardian, Quebec | 33,000 |
| F. Menard | Ange Gardian, Quebec | 32,000 |
| Big Sky Farms | Humboldt, Sask. | 26,000 |
| The Puratone Corporation | Niverville, Manitoba | 25,000 |
| Heartland Pork | Saskatoon, Sask. | 18,000 |
| Total: | 343,000 |
Meat packing and processing
Schneiders has recently been purchased by Maple Leaf, pending approval by the Competition Board of Canada. This merger will mean Maple Leaf will control about 80% of the meat-packing industry in Canada. If you think this might have implications for competition, you can write to:
Robert Lancop
Acting Deputy Commissioner
Merger Branch, Competition Bureau
Industry Canada
50 Victoria Street - 19th Floor
Hull, Quebec
K1A 0C9
Olymel L.P. is owned by the Coopèrative fèdèrèe de Quèbec, a federation of agricultural cooperatives from across Quebec, it operates in Quebec, Ontario and Alberta.
Beef packing in Canada is dominated by two companies, Cargill and Lakeside Packers Inc. which is a division of Tyson, the largest meat-packing corporation in the world.
To view the financial reports of any Canadian public company you can use the SEDAR website.