High meat prices are impacting holiday meal plans [Video]

Meat prices have some reconsidering their holiday meals, cutting butchers’ margins thin.

“I’ve been through COVID, I’ve been through mad cow disease. … This is the most difficult year I’ve ever experienced,” said Johannes Wildenborg, who has owned and operated Master Meats in Calgary for 35 years.

He has been facing months of high meat costs, especially beef, and it’s gotten worse ahead of his busy holiday season.

In 2020, a kilogram of ground beef averaged $9.99, and in 2024 (up to September), it averaged over $12.26.

Sirloin steak averaged $15.92 dollars in 2020 and $22.26 this year.

Shoppers looking for alternatives will find pork, chicken and turkey prices up, too.

“I’m just trying to buy the cheapest amount of meat. It’s sad, but steak, chicken, pork, all of it has gone up,” said Leona Wallace outside a Calgary grocery store.

Many shoppers are avoiding expensive cuts or buying smaller …