U.S. luxury meat retailer Wild Fork is closing all Canadian operations

Wild Fork, a U.S.-based luxury meat and seafood retailer owned by global food conglomerate JBS, is abandoning the Canadian market and closing all operations.

The company entered Canada in January 2023, initially as a protein delivery business in the Greater Toronto Area. Its first retail store opened in May 2023 as a soft-launch 4,000-square-foot location in Taunton Garden Plaza in Whitby. The chain expanded to four locations: Whitby, Ancaster, Hyde Park, and Newmarket — all in the GTA.

Wild Fork carried premium products including Wagyu beef, Berkshire pork, and lobster. The company had publicly planned to open 20 more stores across the GTA and expand into British Columbia and Alberta.

In a letter to customers and suppliers, Wild Fork said: "After careful consideration, Wild Fork has made the difficult decision to exit the Canadian market and close our operations in Canada." The company added: "Throughout this transition, our team members and our customers remain our top priority."

The letter provided no explanation for the closure or abandonment of expansion plans. October 13 is the last day the company's online delivery and pickup service is scheduled to operate in Canada. No timeline was given for when physical stores will close their doors.

The closure comes as Canada faces soaring grocery prices. It also marks a reversal from Wild Fork's initial Canadian expansion strategy, announced just three years ago.