FriGol makes its first beef shipment to Canada

CANADA – FriGol, a major player in Brazil’s beef processing industry, has marked a significant milestone by shipping its first batch of beef to Canada. 

This move emphasizes the company’s strategic push to diversify its market presence and reinforce its commitment to quality and provenance. 

With three of its cattle units now approved for export to Canada, FriGol is set to tap into a new and promising market.

Established in 1992 by the Gonzaga Oliveira family, who have been entrenched in the meat industry since 1970, FriGol stands as one of Brazil’s largest and most established beef processors. 

Headquartered in São Paulo and Pará, the company boasts a strong foothold both domestically and internationally. 

FriGol’s beef products are now available in over 60 countries across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

The company’s efforts to break into the Canadian market come as beef consumption in Canada remains robust. 

In 2022, Canadian consumers consumed approximately 967,166 metric tonnes of beef. 

Notably, beef imports into Canada rose by 25.9 thousand tonnes, marking a 13.8 percent increase in 2023. 

Despite this, Canada maintains substantial domestic beef production, with Alberta leading the charge by contributing 67% of the country’s total cattle slaughter. 

Ontario follows with a 20% share, while Quebec accounts for 12%. 

Beef production in Canada significantly contributes to the nation’s economy, with an average GDP contribution of US$24 billion from 2020 to 2022. 

In 2022, Canada produced 3.61 billion pounds of beef, including offals, reflecting a 2.1% increase from the previous year.

In addition to its foray into the Canadian market, FriGol has reported impressive financial results. For the first quarter, the company achieved a net revenue of R$822 million (US$148.2M0, marking an 18% increase compared to the same period in 2023. 

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