Steady increase in demand for chicken and eggs in Canada
Poultry meat and egg production increased in Canada in 2022 compared to the previous year. However, increases in feed grain prices and the avian influenza outbreak increased production costs.
Total poultry sales in Canada increased in 2022 by 14% from 2021 to CAN$4.2 billion (US$3.1 billion) with poultry farmers in the country producing 1.5 billion kilogrammes of chicken, turkey and stewing hens. Egg production increased by 2.2% from 847.9 million dozen eggs in 2021 to 866.5 million dozen in 2022.
Chicken up, turkeys down again
Last year, the production of chicken, including stewing hens, increased by 2.8% from 2021. In total, poultry farmers produced 1.37 billion kilogrammes of chicken, which accounted for 90.1% of total poultry production in Canada.
However, due to restrictions on imports of live birds, bird products and by-products in response to the avian influenza outbreak, in 2022, imports of live birds into Canada decreased 21% from 2021 to 8.6 million kilogrammes.
Turkey production saw its 6th consecutive annual drop, declining 0.1% from 2021 to 150.2 million kilogrammes in 2022.
Ontario and Quebec lead poultry production
Ontario accounted for over 1-third (478.4 million kg) of the chicken produced in Canada, while Quebec accounted for over a quarter (358.5 million kg). Meanwhile, Ontario and Quebec remained the top turkey-producing provinces. Ontario produced 47.5% (71.4 million kg) of Canada’s turkey, while Quebec 19.7% (29.6 million kg).
Egg sales continue to grow
In 2022, egg sales in the country increased by 14.9% from 2021 to CAN$2.1 billion (US$1.56 billion). It is interesting to note that in 2022, the monthly average egg farm-gate price ranged from 186.2 cents to 216.4 cents per dozen, while in 2021, the average price ranged from 167.7 cents to 186.4 cents per dozen.
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