RED DEER – North American farmers produced less pork, beef and poultry last year than they did the year before
“It is the first year since 1974 when the production of all four major proteins is going to decline,” said John Sheldon of Turkey Farmers of Canada.
However, turkey found itself with an embarrassment of riches as supplies soared beyond what could be consumed. Quota allocations were increased in 2008, which made more turkey available by the end of the year.
Canada produced 198 million kilograms of turkey. Of that, Sheldon told Alberta turkey producers during their annual meeting in Red Deer March 3, a record 156 million kg were consumed. More than 25 million kg were exported, but at the end of the year, 22.2 million kg were left over.
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“It is more than the industry wants to have on hand,” Sheldon said.
Inventory is shrinking, but the industry was left with more broilers and heavy hens, as well as more than average processed and cut up turkey.
Last year, about 3.9 million kg were imported, with more than half coming from Chile, followed by the U.S. and Brazil.
“Five years ago that would have been unimaginable,” Sheldon said.
While a large roasted tom turkey is most popular among consumers, large volumes are processed. White breast meat is the highest value and most sought item. Along with ham, processed turkey is an anchor at deli counters where consumers buy cold cuts.
Compared to other meat, however, turkey remains a small percentage of Canadian production.
Last year, 1.2 million tonnes of beef and 1.8 million tonnes of pork were produced. Both have been in decline since 2005, when Canada had 1.4 million tonnes of beef and 1.9 million tonnes of pork.
Last year, Canada produced one billion kg of chicken, up one percent from the year before.
