Top 5 Supply Chain Challenges in Canada: Navigating the 2024 Landscape

Artsiom Baranouski
6 min readJan 5, 2024

In the intricate world of supply chain management, understanding key terms and concepts is akin to deciphering a complex puzzle. As we navigate the ever-changing landscape, understanding the vital trends becomes crucial, especially considering the impactful disruptions in 2022.

In the vast economic expanse of Canada, the third quarter of 2022 unfolds a narrative shaped by resilience and adaptation in the supply chain.

Notably, the most important beef supply chain faced unprecedented challenges, evident in statistics sourced from Tyler Patrice and Damigou Lamboni. The impact of COVID-19 on Canada’s beef supply chain is profound, as indicated by a detailed overview from statcan.gc.ca

Source: COVID-19 and the beef supply chain: An overview (statcan.gc.ca)

The ghost of inflation haunts Canada’s economic tapestry, with a particular focus on the realm of food prices, even making its presence felt in the lighthearted world of some Tik-Tok videos.

1. Navigating Canada’s Supply Chain: Beef Prices🥩

The seismic shutdown of slaughterhouses and meat processing plants sent shockwaves through the system, leading to panic-buying and atypical spikes in beef prices.

The pandemic-induced disruptions exposed vulnerabilities in the supply chain, especially in concentrated facilities. The resilience of Canada’s beef supply chain faced a critical test in March, with outbreaks shuttering plants in Alberta, halting 70% of Canadian beef processing.

2. Domestic Supply Challenges and Wholesale Dynamics

Despite 85.6% of Canada’s total beef supply being domestic in 2019, lockdown-induced disruptions strained supplies to retail and food-service industries.

Photo by Clark Young on Unsplash

Wholesalers, positioned as intermediaries, navigated the tumult, doubling margins to meet sustained demand.

Source: Analysis on supply chains in Canada, third quarter of 2022 (statcan.gc.ca)

The interplay of slaughter rates, cattle prices, and supply chain dynamics manifested in a complex web, influencing the prices Canadians paid for beef.

3. Inflationary Ripples in the Canadian Tapestry

The intricate dance between global supply constraints and surging consumer demands has cast a spotlight on Canada. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) witnessed a significant 7.6% year-over-year surge in July, marking the most substantial change since January 1983.

4. Current Supply Chain Challenges: A Canadian Mosaic

A quarter of businesses anticipate grappling with difficulties in acquiring domestic inputs (26.8%), while 14.4% foresee challenges in sourcing inputs from abroad over the next three months.

Photo by 2H Media on Unsplash

Within sectors, construction (47.8%) and manufacturing (43.9%) bear the brunt of domestic input challenges.

As the next report concludes, the ever-evolving nature of supply chain challenges demands continuous adaptation.

Source: Analysis on supply chains in Canada, third quarter of 2022 (statcan.gc.ca)

5. Embracing the Canadian Supply Chain Mosaic

Internationally, 82.8% of businesses procure directly from foreign suppliers, with 63.6% presenting replacement challenges. Sectors such as manufacturing (90.3%) and mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (91.6%) report the highest difficulty in replacing foreign suppliers.

The ever-evolving nature of supply chain challenges demands continuous adaptation, emphasizing the imperative for businesses to remain agile, explore innovative solutions, and fortify resilient supply chains.

A Comprehensive Guide to Supply Chain Trends

Now, as we unravel the top 5 supply chain problems in Canada, it’s essential for navigating the intricacies of modern business operations in the Great White North.

1. Supply Chain Management: Navigating Complexity 🌍

Supply chain management stands at the epicenter of organizational operations, especially in the tumultuous 2022s.

Global disruptions have heightened the complexity of supply chains, making it imperative to grasp essential terms and concepts.

2. Transportation: The Art of Logistic’s Essentials 🛒

The movement of products, from raw materials to finished goods, is still a critical aspect of supply chain management.

So you can delve into the nuances of direct and indirect procurement, deciphering their roles in the production process.

3. Warehouse Management: Navigating the Dropshipping 🤝

Warehouse management encompasses the entire process of handling goods within a warehouse.

As supply chain dynamics evolve, embracing technologies like AI and ERP systems becomes imperative.

4. Inventory Management: Balancing Act for Efficient Operations 📦

Efficient inventory management is the linchpin for tracking, storing, and replenishing materials.

Additionally Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) emerges as a vital tool for seamless communication with vendors and customers.

5. Logistics Management: Coordinating the Symphony of Supply Chain Movements 🎻

Logistics management involves orchestrating the movement of goods, optimizing routes, and ensuring visibility.

Discovering the role of technology, such as CRM systems, in streamlining logistics management, especially in the realm of international trade became a huge deal for SMEs. Implementing supply chain demand planning software can significantly enhance the efficiency of the warehouse operations, reducing costs and improving delivery times.

Photo by Adrian Sulyok on Unsplash

As we conclude our journey through the intricate world of supply chain management, it’s evident that leveraging advanced technologies is key to ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and profitability.

In the dynamic landscape of the 2024s, where disruptions are the norm, embracing tools that enhance visibility and streamline operations becomes imperative.

What is the best inventory management system?

In the realm of inflation and the problem of ERP development, Planfix inventory management and logistics system emerges as a powerful scheduling tool integrating with your stocks, offering a seamless integration of planners into the broader supply chain framework.

How Can Planfix Enhance Your Supply Chain Operations?

1. Deadline Solution: Unlike traditional tools, the Planfix planner seamlessly integrates with the entire system. This eliminates the need to switch between multiple tools, saving time and enhancing overall efficiency.

2. Efficient Filtering: With the ability to filter tasks based on criteria such as assignee, status, or project, Planfix allows users to create planner lists tailored to specific needs. This ensures that relevant tasks are easily accessible and prioritized.

3. Dynamic Parameter Changes: Planfix empowers users to change task parameters effortlessly by dragging tasks between planner lists. This feature allows for dynamic adjustments, ensuring that tasks align with the evolving needs of the supply chain.

4. Seamless Integration: Integrate planners seamlessly into your supply chain management, providing a centralized hub for task management without the need for juggling multiple tools.

5. Dynamic Adaptability: Respond to the ever-changing dynamics of the supply chain by dynamically changing task parameters. Planfix allows for a fluid adjustment, ensuring tasks align with the current needs of your operations.

Unlocking the Full Potential of Planfix for Your Supply Chain

For those embarking on the journey to optimize their supply chain operations, Planfix offers a robust solution for planning your logistics.

As we navigate the complexities of modern supply chain management, the integration of tools like Planfix serves as a beacon, guiding businesses toward streamlined operations, enhanced collaboration, and ultimately, supply chain excellence. You can also use Salesforce as an alternative.

In the ever-evolving landscape of supply chain management, Planfix stands out as a valuable ally, offering the tools needed to navigate challenges and steer toward success. Embrace the future with Planfix, and elevate your supply chain management to new heights with 30 days solution for free.

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Artsiom Baranouski

Discussing the unique challenges and opportunities that B2B marketers face in the AI age. Subscribe to get insights weekly! About me: linkedin.com/in/aranovski