Chicken meat and offal market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the Canadian chicken meat and offal market expanded, driven by a slight rise in per capita consumption and the introduction of federal food safety regulations (DORS/2018-108) that enhanced traceability and labeling standards. The implementation of the On-Farm Food Safety Program (PSAF) in 2019 further strengthened production integrity. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused logistical disruptions, but chicken remained the preferred meat, leading to only a minor market volume adjustment.

Post-2020, safety programs like PSAF and the Modernized Poultry Inspection Program (PMIV) supported market recovery. A drop in production prices in 2021 stimulated consumption. In 2022, an avian influenza outbreak reduced the bird population by about 1%, while input cost inflation pushed retail prices up by 10.3%. Despite supply pressures, market volume grew by 4.7%, aided by increased imports as global chicken prices rose.

In 2023, avian influenza continued to affect facilities, but production in Quebec increased by 5.4%, offsetting some losses. Regulation DORS/2022-144 imposed minimum inspection hours per facility, tightening controls. Although per capita consumption fell by 0.8%, market volume rose by 4.5% due to sustained production and import levels.

Production chicken meat and offal in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Canada ranked as the 23rd largest producer of chicken meat and offal globally, positioning it among the world's leading producers in this category.

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

Canada's production of chicken meat and offal saw a decline after two years of growth. In 2020, output reached 1 305 thousand tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 2.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 5.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 332 thousand tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

For the second consecutive year, Canada's chicken meat and offal production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 998 million US dollars, down by 5.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 2.8%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 0.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 2 183 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports chicken meat and offal from Canada

Exports in kind, K t

Canada's chicken meat and offal export volume increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports stood at 91.7 thousand tonnes, showing a modest rise of 3.0% compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 8.5%, with an annualized decline of 2.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 87.1 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest drop of 13.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Canada in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for Canada's chicken meat and offal exports in volume terms were the United States (26.5% of exports), the Philippines (26.4%), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (18.4%). Together, these three markets accounted for 71.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Canada in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

For the third consecutive year, the value of chicken meat and offal exports from Canada declined. In 2020, exports were valued at 140.4 million US dollars, representing a small decrease of 1.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 10.9%, with an annualized decline rate of 3.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Canada in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In value terms from 2017 to 2020, the United States (62.6% of exports), the Philippines (11.1%), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (9.3%) remained the top buyers of Canadian chicken meat and offal. Collectively, these markets accounted for 83.0% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Canada in value, 2017-2020

Imports chicken meat and offal to Canada

Imports in kind, K t

Canada's chicken meat and offal import volume increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 156.2 thousand tonnes, showing a solid gain of 13.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 9.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 137.5 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 3.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Canada in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the dominant supplier of chicken meat and offal to Canada, accounting for 87.9% of total imports in volume terms. The remaining imports were distributed across various other countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Canada in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

For the third consecutive year, the value of chicken meat and offal imports into Canada declined. In 2020, import value registered 265.4 million US dollars, amounting to a moderate loss of 5.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 21.6%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 7.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Canada in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In value terms from 2017 to 2020, the United States was the principal source of chicken meat and offal imports to Canada, accounting for 83.8% of total import value. Other countries contributed to a smaller share of the import market.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Canada in value, 2017-2020