Introduction

This publication provides data on the production, supply and disposition and value of poultry meat and eggs. Also included are data on the average price of eggs sold for table consumption, the food available and the food available, adjusted for loss of poultry meats and eggs, and the production and stocks of processed eggs.

The data presented are obtained from a variety of sources such as administrative sources and censuses. Administrative data are provided by the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency (CEMA), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Statistics Canada. Information from Statistics Canada's Census of Agriculture and Census of Population is also used in preparing the estimates.

The data, published on a provincial basis, are used in decision making by government agencies, processors, retailers, universities, producer organizations and health institutions.

Statistics Canada has been estimating poultry meat production and value since 1951. Concepts and methods vary over time due to changes in the sector and/or the availability of data sources. Users should note the following:

1. Production data supplied in table 7 (Supply and disposition of eggs) are compiled in May of each year and revised annually. Production and disposition data supplied in tables 4 and 5 (Disposition of eggs by province) are subject to revision throughout the year and may not compare exactly to the data in table 7 (Supply and disposition of eggs);
2. beginning in 1986, the quantity of eggs available for consumption is adjusted to take into consideration a loss of 1.95% of total egg production due to leakers and rejects;
3. also beginning in 1986, a new method is used to calculate consumption on the farm;
4. a negligible number of hatchery-supply eggs are sold on the table market. Since data on the amount sold are not available, it is deemed to be zero;
5. Please note that the quantity and value of eggs sold for hatching in New Brunswick also include the quantity and value for the other Atlantic provinces.

The data series are available on CANSIM at the same time as the information appears in The Daily, Statistics Canada's official release vehicle. CANSIM, Statistics Canada's computerized database, is an information management system designed to facilitate both historical research and current analysis.