The September 25th USDA-GAIN Report on Canada, CA2024-44, projected a 2.5 percent increase in broiler production to 1.465 million metric tons (6.66 million lbs.) in 2025. Producers in Canada operate according to a controlled quota system with independent farmer-growers purchasing feed and chicks, often through cooperatives and selling live birds to processors.
In 2025, USDA estimates total imports at 215,000 metric tons, up 4.9 percent from 2024. Exports will amount to 125,000 metric tons resulting in net importation of 90,000 metric tons. Given a population of 39 million, per capita consumption will attain 44.7 kg. (98.4 lbs.) close to that of the U.S.
In 2023, Canada was ranked 7th among importers of U.S. broilers and products with a total quantity of 142,434 metric tons valued at $435 million. Imports in 2023 were respectively down 7 percent in volume and 11 percent in value with a unit price of $3,054 per metric ton indicating whole birds and added-value product.
For the first seven months of 2024, Canada moved to 6th place, importing 84,766 metric tons valued at $258 million with a unit price of $3,044 per metric ton. This can be compared to the average of all exports for the seven-month period of $2,631 million with an average unit price of $1,382 per metric ton confirming a different range of products.
For 2024, the U.S. held 80.4 percent of Canadian broiler and product imports followed by Brazil at 7.5 percent, Thailand at 5.1 percent and Chile rising to 3.9 percent as a result of membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Transpacific Partnership with a relatively low tariff rate quota.
Exports to Canada peaked in 2020 at 160,791 metric tons but this included deceptively-described broiler products as “spent fowl” to avoid paying a tariff. With stricter border controls, this practice has ceased together with stricter scrutiny of the import for re-export program.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency enforces a ban on re-export of chicken from Brazil to the U.S. Chicken products from Brazil do not enter non-eligible Canadian facilities that are authorized to export to the U.S.