Canada's turkey industry

... at a glance

• Turkey Farmers of Canada is the national organization responsible for the production and marketing of turkey in Canada.
• Canadian turkey production generated $487 million in 2023, contributing 0.5% of cash receipts from agricultural operations in Canada.
• Overall, in 2023, the 513 regulated turkey producers in Canada produced 159 million kilograms of turkey (eviscerated weight), 48% of which was produced in Ontario.
• Canada also counted 42 turkey primary processing establishments, of which 16 are federally inspected, along with many further processors who depend on supply of turkey for a portion of their business.
• Canadian turkey production is supplemented by imports subject to import controls such as Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQ’s), and policies pertaining to supplemental imports.
• According to Statistics Canada, turkey meat and meat products imports in 2023 totalled 6.1 million kilograms, valued at $46 million, and mostly originating from United States, Chile, and Poland.
• Over the same year, 25.4 million kilograms of turkey meat and meat products, worth more than $79 million, were exported to 40 countries, with the largest importers being the United States, Benin, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.
• Canada is an important player in turkey genetics. In 2023, Canada exported 8 million poults worth $27.3 million to the United States.

Statistics

• Condemnations
• Industry indicators
• Hatcheries
• Imports and exports
• Inter-provincial movements
• Prices
• Production
• Slaughter
• Storage stocks

Publications

• Codes of practice for the care and handling of farm animals - Chickens, turkeys and breeders from hatchery to processing plant
• Raising chicken and turkey broilers in Canada