September 3, 2004

 

 

Canadian To Show Slight Increase In 2005 Chicken Output

 

Canadian chicken output in 2005 is forecast to rebound and show moderate increase while turkey output is expected to remain flat, according to information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service web site, dated Aug. 27 and released Thursday.

 

Broiler Chicken

 

Canadian chicken production in the first seven months of 2004 fell about 2.3% from the same period a year earlier. This is due entirely to the Avian Influenza outbreak which shut down the major production region in British Columbia.

 

All other provinces posted production gains during the period partly as a result of a Chicken Farmers of Canada policy to increase production in other regions to help offset the B.C. shortfall.

 

All premises in the high-risk region of B.C. were eligible to begin restocking as of July 9, 2004.  Production in that province is also expected to rebound during the latter half of 2004.

 

Total Canadian chicken output for the year is expected to fall to an estimated 920,000 metric tons, about 1% short of last year's level. For 2005, national production is forecast to recover to the 938,000-940,000 metric ton range, the report said.

 

Exports

 

Total Canadian chicken exports in the January-June period of 2004 were down more than 20% as a result of the effects of the avian influenza crisis in British Columbia. Exports to the United States accounted for about 40% of total, while Canadian chicken exports to formerly important markets such as Russia, South Africa, and Cuba fell sharply.

 

Canadian chicken exports to Cuba, formerly the third most important export market for Canadian chicken, declined sharply following the opening of the Cuban market to U.S. chicken in 2002. By 2003, Canadian exports of chicken to Cuba fell to 4,000 metric tons from 7,200 metric tons in 2002 and from 17,000 metric tons during 2001.

 

U.S. Poultry Meat Export Growth

 

After Russia, Canada is the second most important export market for U.S. poultry meat. In 2003, U.S. poultry meat exports to Canada reached a record $268 million, accounting for almost 15% of total U.S. poultry meat exports to the world (Russia accounted for 21%).

 

The value of U.S. poultry meat exports to Canada during 2004 is expected to increase sharply. This is due to increased demand for U.S. poultry products in British Columbia brought about by the avian influenza crisis in that province and the eradication control measures.