The bison industry is an increasingly important contributor to the Canadian economy.
There are nearly 150,000 bison on over 980 farms in Canada and 79% of the herd is concentrated in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
The Canadian Bison Association is a national, non-profit association representing the interests of the bison industry and its 550 members in Canada.
Canada’s bison producers deliver healthy, naturally grown products that are in demand in Canada and around the world.
In 2021, live bison and bison meat exports reached nearly $90 million.
Demand is growing as more consumers look to bison as a source of lean, nutrient-dense, naturally grown meat.
The Minister of Agriculture and Agri- Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announces an investment of up to $133,611 to support economic growth for Canada’s bison industry over the next two years.
Through the AgriMarketing Program, the Canadian Bison Association will be provided with necessary resources to increase its efforts to expand and grow market access in Europe and to increase exports of Canadian bison to the United States.
The funding supports engagement and advocacy activities, as well as the delivery of the International Bison Convention 2022 in Saskatoon, which recognizes Canada’s rich bison history and raises global awareness of Canadian bison.
"This investment is very important in assisting the bison industry in rebuilding European markets as well as supporting strategies to ensure growth in exports to the United States,” states Terry Kremeniuk, Executive Director at Canadian Bison Association.