Poultry meat and offal market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

The Canadian poultry meat market expanded in volume from 2.99 million tons in 2018 to 3.26 million tons in 2023, driven by consistently high consumer preference for chicken and strong retail sales growth. Despite a minor supply chain disruption in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, regulated producers maintained stable output, and rising consumption of fresh and processed products supported continued volume growth.

Market value followed a more volatile path, falling from $5.24 billion in 2018 to $4.79 billion in 2020 as producer prices fluctuated, then surged to $7.48 billion by 2023. This sharp increase was fueled by robust retail sales, which reached $4.9 billion for poultry alone in 2021, while evolving consumer preferences for traceable products and stricter labeling requirements for frozen and thawed portions helped shape market dynamics.

The market structure remained concentrated, with over 60% of chicken production located in Quebec and Ontario, and limited entry of new players due to stringent import policies and licensing. Regulatory frameworks for slaughter, inspection, and retail permits provided a stable environment, while managed inventory levels for frozen poultry ensured supply met the strong underlying demand.

Production poultry meat and offal in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Canada ranked 20th globally in the production of poultry meat and offal.

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

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

Following a two-year increase, Canada's production volume of poultry meat and offal declined. In 2020, Canada produced 2 949 K t of poultry meat and offal, marking a slight decrease of 2.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 3.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 3 015 K t, with the largest year-over-year increase occurring in 2018 at 4.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Poultry meat and offal production in Canada fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 4 700 M $ US, reflecting a moderate decline of 4.8% from the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 4.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.6%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 5 109 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 13.9%.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Canada

Exports in kind, K t

Canada's export volume of poultry meat and offal rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 118.0 K t, up 5.5% compared to the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall exports decreased by 8.4%, averaging an annual decline of 2.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 108.5 K t, with the sharpest drop of 15.8% occurring that same year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main destinations for Canada's poultry meat and offal exports in volume terms were the United States, accounting for 26.2% of exports, the Philippines at 21.8%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, at 14.8%. Together, these three markets represented 62.9% 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

After two years of decline, Canada's cross-border shipments of poultry meat and offal increased. In 2020, exports amounted to 188.1 M $ US, showing a small uptick of 2.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports fell by 7.6%, with an annualized decrease of 2.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 183.2 M $ US, while the largest decline of 8.1% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the top buyer of Canadian poultry meat and offal in value terms, representing 59.5% of exports. The Philippines followed with 8.8%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, accounted for 7.9%. Combined, these three markets made up 76.1% 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 poultry meat and offal to Canada

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, Canada's import volume of poultry meat and offal increased. In 2020, imports reached 160.8 K t, a 13.0% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 8.9%, averaging an annual increase of 2.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 142.3 K t, with the largest decline of 3.6% recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading source for Canada's imports of poultry meat and offal in volume terms, holding an 87.0% share of total flows. The remainder was distributed among other trading partners.

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

Canada's imports of poultry meat and offal in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 281.6 M $ US, down 5.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 21.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 7.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States dominated Canada's imports of poultry meat and offal in value terms, accounting for 82.3% of total flows. The remaining share was spread across several smaller markets.

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

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