Canadian Egg Output Lags 2006

OTTAWA - Aug 30/07 - SNS -- Canadian egg production continues to lag 2006, with output in June slipping below both month and year earlier levels, according to Statistics Canada.

"During the first 6 months of 2007, egg production totalled 288.3 million dozen, a small decrease of 0.4% from the same period in 2006. In June 2007, it was down 1.4%, compared to June of last year," Statistics Canada reported.

"Annual egg consumption has stabilized in recent years and was pegged at 12.3 dozen per person in 2006, an amount similar to 2005. Generally, the recent sustained growth in egg consumption can be attributed to the publicity surrounding the nutritional benefits of eggs, the increased use of eggs by the food service sector, the growing popularity of value added products and the expanded use and availability of processed egg products."

Statistics Canada noted the value of poultry products totalled $2.6 billion in 2006, virtually unchanged from 2005. Sales of poultry meat, including turkey, showed a decrease of 3.3% with a total value of $1.8 billion. The value of egg sales increased 2.0% from 2005 to stand at $735.1 million.

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