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Facts & Figures About the
Chicken Industry
In General:
Ontario benefits greatly from the economic activity generated by its chicken farms, and the success of supply management is a major contributor to the rural economy.
Ontario production has grown at a steady and manageable pace, averaging 5-7% growth per year, over the last 15 years. It increased by a total of 60% from 193 million kilograms in 1992 to nearly 321 million kilograms in 2007.
Ontario is the largest producer and processor of chicken in the country, growing one-third of all the chicken produced in Canada.
That is nearly 321 million kilograms of chicken meat yearly, worth close to 500 million dollars annually, at the farm level.
Per capita consumption has risen by more than 69% to 32 million kilograms in 2007, up from just 22.3 million kilograms in 1992. This makes Ontario the largest consumer of chicken in Canada, as well.
As more and more Canadians turn to chicken, there has been a 21% increase in the chicken industry’s share of Canadian meat consumption – up to 32%
Chicken is positioned as the number one meat of choice among consumers in Canada
From 1990 to 2007, the number of chicken farmers in Ontario has increased from 875 to 1100.
There are about 2800 chicken farms across Canada.
The Canadian chicken industry directly employs more than 49, 700 people who work on chicken farms or in related areas such as processing.
Over five thousand of those full-time positions are here in Ontario. There are thousands of spin-off jobs as well.
Trade
The Canadian chicken industry is a player in world trade. Imports and exports to and from Canada have increased significantly in the last decade.
In 2002, Canada imported approximately 107 million kilograms and exported 76 million kilograms of chicken, making Canada the world’s 9th largest importer of chicken and 6th largest exporter.
Chicken farmers are proud to offer a product that is safe, nutritious and competitively priced
Although retail chicken prices have increased steadily over the past few years, prices paid to farmers have remained relatively stable.