Statistics Canada
www.statcan.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
Study: Canada's turkey industry
Archived Content
Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please "contact us" to request a format other than those available.
Canada's turkey industry expanded from 2001 to 2006, due in large part to increasing exports.
Data from the 2006 Census of Agriculture show that Canadian farmers produced 188.7 million kilograms of turkey (live weight) in 2005, up 5.9% from 2000.
This occurred despite declines in the number of farms producing turkeys, and the number of turkeys on these farms. These decreases were offset by a move to raising larger, heavier birds.
Farms in three provinces (Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia) accounted for just over three-quarters of the nation's turkey production. Ontario had the highest production in the country, more than twice that of Quebec, which ranked second.
Canadian exports of turkeys and turkey products have been climbing since the mid-1980s. In 2006, Canada exported almost 27 200 metric tonnes of turkey, up 30% from 2001 and more than four times the amount in 1991. Exports of turkey meat in 2006 went predominantly to South Africa and the United States, together accounting for over half of the total.
Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 3438.
The article, "Turkey industry adapting to new Canadian demographics" is now available as part of the 2006 edition of Canadian Agriculture at a Glance (96-325-XWE, free). From the Publications module of our website, under Free Internet publications, choose Agriculture.
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods, or data quality of this release, contact Margaret Morris (613-951-1578), Agriculture Division.
