Production of poultry and eggs

The value of poultry products totalled $2.5 billion in 2002, down 1.9% from 2001. Sales of poultry meat, at $1.7 billion, dropped 3.9% as prices declined. Egg sales increased 2.9% to $754.1 million.

Canadian farmers produced 1.1 million metric tonnes of poultry meat in 2002, virtually unchanged from 2001. Production of chicken, which accounts for over 85% of all poultry meat produced, rose slightly from 2001, continuing a long-term upward trend. Turkey production, which peaked at 152.6 thousand tonnes in 2000, stood at 146.4 thousand tonnes in 2002, down 2.1% from 2001.

In 2002, each Canadian consumed 32.3 kilograms of chicken, up from 32.1 kilograms per person in 2001. The ongoing popularity of easy-to-prepare and ready-to-eat chicken products with time-conscious consumers contributed to the increased intake of chicken.

Egg production increased 1.6% from 2001 to stand at 575.8 million dozen in 2002. Egg consumption, which has been rebounding in recent years, reached 15.4 dozen eggs per person in 2002, down slightly from 15.8 dozen per person in 2001. The general growth can be attributed in part to publicity outlining the nutritional benefits of eggs, increased use of eggs by the food service sector, the growing popularity of value-added products, and the expanded use and availability of processed egg products.

Available on CANSIM: tables 003-0017 to 003-0020.

Information on methods and data quality available in the Integrated Meta Data Base: survey number 5039.

The 2002 issue of Production of poultry and eggs (23-202-XIB, $29) will be available soon.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, call the Agriculture Division information line (1-800-465-1991) or contact Debbie Dupuis (613-951-2553; debbie.dupuis@statcan.gc.ca), Agriculture Division.