McDonald's Canada will start importing beef amidst supply chain concerns, according to a statement released Tuesday.

The fast-food chain previously sourced 100 per cent of the beef for its hamburger patties from Canadian ranches and farms, primarily in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Now, it will temporarily import beef from outside of the country.

"Until Canada's beef supply stabilizes, we will source as much Canadian beef as we can and then supplement with imported beef," the company said.

McDonald's Canada specifically cited the closure of Alberta's Cargill meatpacking plant as part of the reason that Canada's supply chain is struggling; the facility was forced to temporarily shut its doors after an outbreak of COVID-19 on April 20.

To date, 759 Cargill workers at the plant have tested positive for the virus, and about 25 per cent of Alberta's total number of COVID-19 cases are linked to the plant.

McDonald's Canada says that it will also temporarily remove its Angus burgers from menus across the country, although restaurants can sell them until supplies run out.