Canadian Poultry Output Growth Unabated

OTTAWA - May 16/02 - SNS -- Canadian poultry output levels during 2001 were guided by the same trends seen in the United States and several other countries. Production levels continue to rise, with usage of chicken growing faster than for products such as beef.

Statistics Canada reports the country's poultry producers generated 1,099,000 metric tons (MT) of poultry meat in 2001, up 4.0% from 2000 due to a 5.7% increase in chicken production. At the same time, turkey production dropped to 149,000 MT. Egg production climbed 3.7% to 570 million dozen in 2001.

Canadians extended a long-term upward trend in 2001, consuming record amounts of chicken meat. Chicken consumption rose to 30.3 kilograms per person, up 4.5% from 2000. The popularity of easy-to-prepare chicken products among time-conscious consumers, along with competitive prices, contributed to demand.

Chicken may soon surpass beef as the meat of choice for Canadians. In 2001, beef consumption declined to 30.7 kilograms per person. Each Canadian ate an average of 16 dozen eggs in 2001, continuing a trend that began in 1996. Egg consumption rose 1.9% from 2000.