October 2, 2007

Canada sees increase in broiler production and imports

Canada's broiler production is expected to see an increase of 2.0-2.4 percent over year-ago levels according to US agriculture analysts.

Broiler production is expected to reach 985,000 tonnes this year and would cross the million-tonne mark next year, thanks to a modest but steady rise in retail and foodservice demand, a USDA attach¨¦ report said.

Meanwhile, the country's broiler meat imports is expected to climb 7.4 percent from 135,000 tonnes to 145,000 tonnes next year. The US supplies 82 percent of Canada's broiler imports while Brazil supplies 17 percent.

Canada is the third most important export market for US poultry meat, with record value exports during the first six months of 2007 at US$201 million, up 34 percent compared to same period in 2006, the report said.

Most imports enter through the federal government's Import to Re-Export Program (IREP) in which Canadian firms import the more popular white meat cuts, and exports the less favored dark meats. Up to one-third of Canadian imports enter the country through this programme.

Meanwhile, Canada's turkey market is forecasted to reach 164,000 tonnes in 2007, up slightly from a year ago. Canada's turkey consumption has remained basically stagnant from 10-year-ago levels of 4.4 kilogrammes. The report blamed artificially inflated prices which stifled innovation in the turkey market.