Tariffs & Trade Tension: What US and Canadian Meat Processors Should Know

How the Tariffs are Changing the North American Meat Industry

At Carlisle Technology, we work side-by-side with meat processors across North America. So when new policies begin to affect meat prices, production planning, or cross-border logistics, we pay attention.

That’s what’s happening now.

With former President Trump proposing renewed tariffs on Canadian and Mexican beef, both U.S. and Canadian processors are seeing shifts in pricing, supply availability, and export dynamics. From ranchers to kill floors to further processing and distribution, these changes are introducing new layers of complexity to an already demanding industry.

But complexity doesn’t mean crisis. It means an opportunity to adapt with the right visibility and systems in place.

Rising Input Costs in U.S. Meat Processing

A 25% tariff on beef imports from Canada and Mexico is already being felt across the U.S. processing landscape. Plants that rely on lean trim and primal cuts from cross-border suppliers are seeing their input costs climb. According to recent data:

Ground beef prices are up by 10%
Steaks have increased by 7%
Ham and chicken prices have also edged higher

While reduced cattle inventory plays a major role, the tariffs are amplifying those pressures. Processors with limited visibility into real-time yields, inventory, and margins may struggle to make agile decisions in response to these cost changes.

Canadian Meat Processing Faces Strategic Shifts

Canadian ranchers are responding with caution. With about 75% of Canadian beef exports destined for the U.S., a 25% tariff adds significant cost, up to $28,000 per truckload. Herd rebuilding has slowed, and cow-calf inventories are now at their lowest level since 1988.

This doesn’t mean a halt in operations, but it does mean tighter supply and more selective processing strategies. For Canadian processors, these dynamics may require adjustments in sourcing, scheduling, and export planning.

Canada has also introduced reciprocal tariffs on U.S. meat products, adding another layer of complexity to binational supply chains.

Adapting to a Shifting Meat Processing Chain

We’re seeing changes across the board, but nothing that can’t be managed with the right insight and systems. Here’s what some of our processor partners are navigating right now:

Area	What’s Changing
Raw Material Supply:	U.S. processors have fewer lean trim options; Canadian exports are slowing
Production Scheduling:	Shifts in carcass availability require more flexible planning
Export & Distribution:	Cross-border logistics have become more expensive and less predictable
Business Planning:	Increased price volatility is adding uncertainty to quarterly planning cycles

These challenges aren’t impossible to overcome, but they do call for more agile operations, better forecasting tools, and greater plant-floor visibility.

Navigating Trade Uncertainty with Stronger Tools

As processors adapt to higher costs and shifting supply, the right tools can make the difference between staying agile and falling behind. We’re seeing a growing number of plants double down on technology to protect their margins and maintain efficiency.

At Carlisle Technology, we help processors take control with solutions that are built for the realities of the meat industry:

Symphony Production Management: Keep production flowing smoothly even when inputs are changing. Track yields, WIP, and throughput in real time.
Symphony Warehouse Management: Avoid over- or understocking and gain instant visibility into every case of product.
iCap Weighing & Labeling: Adapt quickly to price changes and SKU updates with robust plant-floor labeling.
End-to-End Traceability: Be ready for anything. Whether it’s a recall, audit, or export requirement, our traceability solutions help you stay compliant and confident.

We don’t just offer software. We offer proven systems designed, supported, and built for the unique demands of meat, poultry, and pork processing.

A Turning Point for the Meat Processing Industry

For meat processors in both the U.S. and Canada, the months ahead will be about resilience, responsiveness, and real-time decision making.

At Carlisle Technology, we’ve supported meat processors for over 30 years through every kind of market change. If your plant is facing uncertainty, whether it’s from tariffs, supply chain challenges, or regulatory shifts, our team is here to help you adapt with confidence.