+34
Global demand for protein, specifically whey concentrate protein powders, has increased in the last two years, causing a global shortage just as tariffs hit Canadian retailers.
Estimated 4 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Kevin de Vos, the owner of Foxtrot Dairy near Salmon Arm, B.C. , says within the last year, the pricing formula for milk changed to recognize an increased desire for more protein in milk. An international surge in protein consumption, combined with pricey new tariffs on American dairy, means Canadian whey retailers are being hit with a worldwide product shortage — just as prices soar.
Some Canadian dairy farmers are already working to produce milk with higher protein content, but economists say large-scale investments in whey processing are also needed to keep up with the surging demand.
"We have already changed our breeding selection," said Kevin de Vos, the owner of Foxtrot Dairy near Salmon Arm, B.C. Those breeding changes will increase the concentration of protein in milk his future cows produce. He said within the last year, the"We have made some slight changes to our feeding program too, to provide that higher protein-to-butterfat milk ratio.
" However, de Vos said it will take more than three years of careful breeding to see the protein content of milk increase, after previously spending years selecting for high-fat producing cows. Cows at Foxtrot Dairy near Salmon Arm, B.C. , are being bred to have calves with genes that produce protein-rich milk. "We're at an inflection point here," said Graeme Crosbie, a Farm Credit Canada senior economist.
He said until recently, there was always more demand for the butterfat in Canadian milk — which is used in butter and cheese — than there was for the protein. He said whey used to be considered not much more than a liquid byproduct of the cheesemaking process. How counter-tariffs on the U.S. could backfire on Canadian whey protein companiesAs the trade war with the U.S. continues, it marks two weeks since Canada responded with retaliatory tariffs.
As CBC’s Baneet Braich explains, the levies are especially having an impact on Canadian protein companies. Now, as prices for refined whey skyrocket, cheese producers are looking at the whey they previously used as fertilizer and animal feed with a different eye. A spike in global consumption of protein — specifically whey protein concentrate — in the last two years prompted the price surge, said Monika Tothova, United Nations Food and Agriculture senior economist.
She said the world's cheesemaking and processing capacity have not kept up with consumer preferences. Tothova specified that the liquid leftover from cheesemaking is not the same as the whey protein concentrate that is sold in stores. Currently, Canada has few processing plants able to convert the cheesemaking whey into whey protein concentrate. Canadian whey protein products caught in Canada-U.S. trade war | Hanomansing TonightWhey products are among the Canadian imports banned by U.S. President Donald Trump Tuesday.
The ban will go into effect on Sept. 29. Dan Crosby, CEO of BioSteel Sports Nutrition, explains how this ban will impact his company's products, which are popular with sports teams and players on both sides of the border. This means many protein retailers like Kallum Mitterer, the founder of True North Protein, must rely entirely on purchasing processed whey from the United States.
"Since last October, prices have over doubled," said Mitterer, about the cost to buy whey concentrate from the U.S. as supply dwindles. He said with the retaliatory tariffs on dairy imports, the price of whey from the U.S. will increase by even more.
Canadian whey protein products caught in Canada-U.S. trade war | Hanomansing TonightAelie Swift, the founder of Hello Amino, said suppliers she has worked with in the U.S. have previously been unable to fill orders due to low supply of whey. She said Hello Amino currently has about a month worth of whey stockpiled.
Then, she will need to buy the tariffed whey concentrate, which she expects will result in price increases of four to seven dollars for her baking and beverage mixes. Global consumption of protein — specifically whey protein concentrate — has surged in the last two years. As the trade war continues, all Canadian dairy, including whey products, will be banned from the U.S., while U.S. dairy imported to Canada will face a 50 per cent tariff.
Philippe Charlebois, executive director of the Canadian Dairy Commission, said the Crown corporation is monitoring developments in the dairy markets as part of its mandate to support a strong and efficient dairy sector. He said the Dairy Commission acknowledges global demand for protein has increased, contributing to stronger demand and higher overall market values for protein ingredients.
He noted that because whey is a co-product of cheese manufacturing, the volume of whey available is directly linked to cheese production levels in Canada. meaning producers will not be paid if they overproduce an abundance of milk, just to meet whey protein demands.
Please follow us on Google to support usCanada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Emily St. John Mandel's new novel is the bestselling Canadian fiction book this weekHere are the bestselling Canadian fiction, nonfiction and children's books from Sept. 12-19.
Read more »
Netanyahu Flies Through Canadian Airspace Despite Arrest WarrantIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled through Canadian airspace while en route to Washington, D.C., despite an International Criminal Court arrest warrant alleging war crimes in Gaza. The Canadian government authorized the overflight in connection with his trip to address the United Nations General Assembly but said it did not endorse Israeli government policies.
Read more »
Feist and The Tragically Hip to be Inducted into Canadian Songwriters Hall of FameFeist and The Tragically Hip will be inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame at a gala on Saturday night at Toronto's Massey Hall, with performances by Jeff Tweedy, Finneas, and others.
Read more »
Canadian women’s rugby team falls to host FranceThe Canadian women’s rugby team fell 21-5 to host France on Saturday.
Read more »