Weekly Canadian Egg and Poultry Market Review - CANADA - Our regular weekly review from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada of the Egg and Poultry markets in Canada. Report for week ending October 2nd and 4th respectively.

Poultry - Market Comments For Week Ending October 4th

Paying prices for to chicken and turkey producers, as established by the Provincial Marketing Boards, held steady across Canada, except for a three cent per kilogram increase on turkeys in Saskatchewan for all weight ranges.

In British Columbia, frozen broiler chicken, frozen roaster chicken, and chicken leg quarters and chicken legs were selling at prices as low as 218, 285 and 216 cents per kilo, respectively. Fresh broiler and hen turkeys and turkey drumsticks selling at prices as low as 218 cents per kilo.

In Alberta, frozen broiler chicken, frozen roaster chicken, chicken leg quarters, chicken drumsticks, frozen broiler and hen turkeys and ducks were selling at prices as low as 216, 298, 218, 326, 216, 318 and 418 cents per kilo, respectively.

Saskatchewan wholesalers continued to report steady poultry sales with adequate supplies. Frozen roaster, chicken breast, frozen broiler and hen turkeys and ducks were selling at prices as low as 395, 591, 282 and 527 cents per kilo, respectively.

In Manitoba, the demand for chicken remained good with continued adequate supplies and steady prices. The demand for turkey improved with continued adequate supplies and steady prices. Chicken thighs were selling as low as 368 cents per kilo. Frozen utility turkeys were featured by both an independent and a major retailer (members only) at 218 cent per kilo for 9 kg and up.

In Ontario, imports of live mature chicken dropped to a total of 288,072 for September 21 to 27, 2003. Frozen broiler chicken, fresh roaster chicken, bone-in chicken breast with back attached, chicken leg quarters, chicken thighs with back attached and chicken drumsticks were selling at prices as low as 221, 218, 328, 196, 228 and 328 cents per kilo, respectively. Frozen broiler and hen turkeys, frozen tom turkey, bone-in turkey breast and turkey wings were also selling at prices as low as 218, 328, 659 and 284 cents per kilo, respectively.

In Quebec, this week, the chicken market slowed down. The demand for chicken and chicken cuts ranged from good to fair, but, all the same balanced rather well with the slaughter. Chicken processor prices were stable for some and were slightly weak for others. Large chains offered fresh broiler chicken, fresh roaster chicken, chicken leg quarters, chicken thighs with back attached, chicken drumsticks and skinless/boneless chicken breast at 218, 439, 218, 218, 284 and 1100 cents per kilo, respectively. The turkey market remained active with processor prices being firm. Frozen "A" turkey under 7 kg was selling at 218 cents per kilo.

In New Brunswick, the demand for both chicken and turkey remained good with continued adequate supplies. Chicken breast, chicken thighs and turkey thighs were selling at prices as low as 813, 880 and 253 cents per kilo, respectively.

In Nova Scotia there were no retail prices and commentaries available for this week.

Prince Edward Island poultry market remained steady with adequate supplies available. Boneless/skinless chicken thighs and chicken drumsticks were selling at prices as low as 815 and 307 cents per kilo, respectively. Features this week include chicken breast, chicken legs and chicken drumstick at 747, 415 and 307 cents per kilogram, respectively.

In Newfoundland, the chicken market remains moderate with ample supplies of most cuts. The turkey market was reported as moderate slow with low supplies of most cuts at the retail level. Features this week include fresh chicken legs, bonus pack chicken breasts, skinless chicken thighs ( 1 kg and up), skinless chicken breast and club pack chicken breast at 439, 769, 569, 888 and 747 cents per kilogram, respectively. Frozen broiler turkey was selling as low as 395 cents per kilogram.

Egg - Market Comments For Week Ending October 2nd

Paying prices to egg producers for all "A" grades, for week ending October 2, 2003, as reported by the Provincial Marketing Boards, had downward revisions of two cents per dozen for "A" Extra Large, "A" Large, "A" Medium and "A" Small in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. A decrease of 1 cent per dozen was reported for "A" Extra Large, "A" Large, "A" Medium and "A" Small in Prince Edward Island. A decrease of 2 cents per dozen for all "A" grades was reported in Newfoundland. The weighted average wholesale price increased fractionally at Toronto and remained the same at Montreal at 168.45 and 194.1 cents per dozen, respectively.

In British Columbia, the price paid to producers decreased 2 cents per dozen for grade "B" eggs and increased 5 cents per dozen for grade "C" eggs. The wholesale prices decreased 2 cents per dozen for "A" Extra Large, "A" Large, "A" Medium, "A" Small and grade "B" eggs. The weighted average retail price for "A" Large eggs decreased to 252.0 cents per dozen. The industrial surplus supplies increased for a third consecutive week to a total of 21,897 boxes of 15 dozen eggs and consisted of 2.0 percent "A" Extra Large, 21.2 percent "A" Large, 16.2 percent "A" Medium, 4.2 percent "A" Small and 56.4 percent Nest-run eggs.

In Alberta, wholesale egg prices decreased 2 cents per dozen for "A" Extra Large, "A" Large, "A" Medium and "A" Small. The weighted average retail prices for "A" Large eggs increased at Calgary and decreased at Edmonton to 195.7 and 198.5 cents per dozen, respectively. Industrial surplus supplies decreased to a total of 9,040 boxes of 15 dozen eggs and consisted of 72.6 percent "A" Medium and 27.4 percent "A" Small eggs.

In Saskatchewan, wholesale egg prices decreased 2 cents per dozen for "A" Extra Large, "A" Large, "A" Medium and "A" Small at Saskatoon. Sales remained steady with continued adequate supplies. The weighted average retail price for "A" Large eggs remained the same at Regina and decreased at Saskatoon to 176.6 and 157.6 cents per dozen, respectively. Industrial surplus supplies remained at the same level to a total of 1,600 boxes of 15 dozen eggs and consisted of 100.0 percent "A" Medium eggs. Some retailers featured "A" Large eggs at prices as low as 99 cents per dozen on a limited buying basis.

In Manitoba, egg sales remained steady with adequate supplies and a continued good demand. The weighted average retail price for "A" Large eggs increased to 182.0 cents per dozen. Industrial surplus supplies decreased to a total of 29,856 boxes of 15 dozen eggs and consisted of 2.1 percent "A" Extra Large, 33.1 percent "A" Large, 14.7 percent "A" Medium, 3.0 percent "A" Small and 47.1 percent Nest-run eggs.

In Ontario, breaker prices decreased for Extra Large, Large and Medium eggs by 1.0 cent per dozen, and decreased by 0.5 cents per dozen for Small eggs. Breaker prices for Nest-run eggs decreased to 62.5-93.5 cents per dozen. The weighted average retail price for A" Large eggs increased fractionally to 205.95 cents per dozen. Industrial product declaration increased to a total of 53,286 boxes of 15 dozen, and consisted of 2.3 percent "A" Extra Large, 19.7 percent "A" Large, 63.2 percent "A" Medium, 3.3 percent "A" Small and 11.5 percent Nest-run eggs.

In Quebec, the egg market continued to range from good to fair. The demand was, also, ranging from good to fair with continued regular supplies. The weighted average retail price for "A" Large eggs increased to 227.3 cents per dozen. One import shipment for table eggs and three import shipments for breaking purposes were reported. Industrial surplus supplies increased for a second consecutive week to a total of 13,716 boxes of 15 dozen and consisted of 21.0 percent "A" Extra Large, 30.6 percent "A" Large, 17.9 percent "A Medium, 6.0 percent "A" Small and 24.5 percent Nest-run eggs.

In New Brunswick, the egg market continued unchanged with a good demand and adequate supplies. The weighted average retail price for "A" Large white eggs remained at 206.0 cents per dozen. The weighted average retail price for "A" Large brown eggs continued at 215.0 cents per dozen. Industrial surplus supplies decreased to a total of 3,434 boxes of 15 dozen eggs and consisted of 31.5 percent "A" Large, 21.0 percent "A" Medium, 2.1 percent "A" Small and 45.4 percent Nest-run eggs.

In Nova Scotia, the retail prices were not available for this week. Industrial surplus supplies decreased to a total of 6,996 boxes of 15 dozen eggs and consisted of 1.5 percent "A" Large, 13.6 percent "A" Medium and 84.9 percent Nest-run eggs.

In Prince Edward Island, the egg market remained steady with continued adequate supplies. The weighted average retail price for "A" Large eggs continued at 209.0 cents per dozen. Industrial surplus supplies remained at the same level to a total of 1,860 boxes of 15 dozen eggs and consisted of 3.2 percent "A" Medium, 6.5 percent "A" Small and 90.3 percent Nest-run eggs.

In Newfoundland, the price paid to producers for "B" and "C" eggs decreased 2 cents per dozen, effective September 28, 2003. An active egg market and an ample supply continued to be reported. The weighted average retail price for "A" Large eggs remained at 214.9 cents per dozen. Industrial surplus supplies remained at the same level to a total of 5,040 boxes of 15 dozen eggs and consisted of 0.5 percent "A" Extra Large, 0.6 percent "A" Medium, 0.3 percent "A" Small and 98.6 percent Nest-run eggs.

Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - 13th October 2003