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 9th and 11th respectively.

Poultry - Market Comments For Week Ending October 11th

Paying prices to chicken and turkey producers, as established by the Provincial Marketing Boards, held in a fairly firm position across Canada, except for an increase on turkeys in Quebec.

In British Columbia, frozen broiler chicken, frozen roaster chicken, and chicken leg quarters and chicken legs were selling at prices as low as 218, 306 and 216 cents per kilo, respectively. Fresh tom turkey, frozen broiler, hen and tom turkeys, turkey drumsticks and turkey wings selling at prices as low as 328, 216, 218 and 196 cents per kilo, respectively.

In Alberta, frozen broiler and tom turkeys, frozen hen turkeys and ducks were selling at prices as low as 218, 209 and 326 cents per kilo, respectively.

In Saskatchewan, the chicken and turkey markets reported steady to strong sales with a continued adequate supply. Some retailers attractively advertised grade "A" frozen turkeys at 216 cents per kilo, on a limited buying basis.

The demand for chicken, in Manitoba, was indicated as only fair with continued adequate supplies and steady prices. The demand for turkey was very good with continued adequate supplies and steady prices. Featured by an independent were frozen "A" hen and tom turkeys, and frozen "Utility" turkeys at 284 and 218 cents per kilogram, respectively.

Imports of Ontario live mature chicken augmented to a total of 302,328 for September 28 to October 4, 2003. Frozen broiler chicken, fresh roaster chicken, chicken leg quarters and frozen broiler and hen turkeys were available at prices as low as 221, 218, 210 and 218 cents per kilogram, respectively.

Effective October 6, 2003, the price paid to Quebec turkey growers augmented by three cents per kilogram for broilers and hens. The demand for chicken and chicken cuts was reported as only fair. Chicken processor prices were growing weaker. Large chains offered chicken specials on fresh broilers, leg quarters, thighs with back attached, drumsticks and skinless/boneless breasts at 395, 218, 218, 284 and 1166 cents per kilo, respectively. The turkey market continued in an active position. Turkeys advertised were frozen "A" turkey under 7 kg, frozen basted turkeys and fresh "A" turkeys under 7 kg at 284-395, 284 and 439 cents per kilo, respectively.

In New Brunswick, the chicken and turkey markets continued unchanged with good demands and adequate supplies. Bone-in chicken breast and bone-in turkey breast were selling at prices as low as 689 and 880 cents per kilo, respectively.

Chicken thighs and drums, turkey broilers and hens were available, in Nova Scotia, at one low price of 439 cents per kilo. Frozen turkeys were sold at 417 cents per kilo.

Prince Edward Island poultry market remained steady with adequate supplies available. Bone-in chicken breast and bone-in turkey breast were selling at prices as 747 and 769 cents per kilo, respectively.

In Newfoundland, the chicken market remains moderate with ample supplies of most cuts. The turkey market was reported as moderate with low supplies of most cuts at the retail level. Features this week included fresh skinless chicken breast halves (1 kg and up), turkey drumsticks, frozen turkey, and fresh "Utility" and local turkeys at 888, 505, 395 and 439 cents per kilo, respectively. Frozen duck was offered at 527 cents per kilo.

Egg - Market Comments For Week Ending October 9th

Paying prices to egg producers for all "A" grades, for week ending October 9, 2003, as reported by the Provincial Marketing Boards, held steady across Canada. The weighted average wholesale price increased fractionally at Toronto and remained the same at Montreal at 168.57 and 194.1 cents per dozen, respectively.

In British Columbia, the weighted average retail price for "A" Large eggs remained at 252.0 cents per dozen. The industrial surplus supplies decreased to a total of 16,466 boxes of 15 dozen eggs and consisted of 0.3 percent "A" Extra Large, 10.5 percent "A" Large, 12.4 percent "A" Medium, 2.8 percent "A" Small and 74.0 percent Nest-run eggs.

In Alberta, the weighted average retail prices for "A" Large eggs decreased at both Calgary and Edmonton to 192.4 and 198.4 cents per dozen, respectively. Industrial surplus supplies decreased for a second consecutive week to a total of 6,800 boxes of 15 dozen eggs and consisted of 91.8 percent "A" Medium and 8.2 percent "A" Small eggs.

In Saskatchewan, sales remained steady with continued adequate supplies. The weighted average retail price for "A" Large eggs remained the same at Regina and increased at Saskatoon to 176.6 and 180.5 cents per dozen, respectively. There were no industrial surplus supplies for this week.

In Manitoba, egg sales remained steady with continued adequate supplies to meet a heavy demand. The weighted average retail price for "A" Large eggs increased to 177.0 cents per dozen. Industrial surplus supplies increased to a total of 33,492 boxes of 15 dozen eggs and consisted of 1.1 percent "A" Extra Large, 28.1 percent "A" Large, 16.6 percent "A" Medium, 4.2 percent "A" Small and 50.0 percent Nest-run eggs.

In Ontario, breaker prices increased for Extra Large, Large, Medium and Small eggs by 8.5, 8.0, 6.5 and 5.0 cents per dozen, respectively. Breaker prices for Nest-run eggs increased to 68.0-101.5 cents per dozen. The weighted average retail price for A" Large eggs decreased to 203.42 cents per dozen. Industrial product declaration decreased to a total of 45,202 boxes of 15 dozen, and consisted of 16.7 percent "A" Large, 65.6 percent "A" Medium, 1.7 percent "A" Small and 16.0 percent Nest-run eggs.

In Quebec, both the egg market and the demand continued to range from good to fair. Supplies remained regular. The weighted average retail price for "A" Large eggs remained at 227.3 cents per dozen. One import shipment for table eggs was reported. Industrial surplus supplies increased for a third consecutive week to a total of 15,101 boxes of 15 dozen and consisted of 19.5 percent "A" Extra Large, 34.0 percent "A" Large, 21.6 percent "A Medium, 7.3 percent "A" Small and 17.6 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 increased to 208.0 cents per dozen. The weighted average retail price for "A" Large brown eggs decreased to 214.0 cents per dozen. Industrial surplus supplies decreased for a second consecutive week to a total of 2,774 boxes of 15 dozen eggs and consisted of 15.1 percent "A" Large, 30.4 percent "A" Medium, 4.7 percent "A" Small and 49.8 percent Nest-run eggs.

In Nova Scotia, the retail price for "A" Large eggs was reported at 209.0 cents per dozen. Industrial surplus supplies decreased for a second consecutive week to a total of 5,659 boxes of 15 dozen eggs and consisted of 0.5 percent "A" Large, 18.0 percent "A" Medium, 3.0 percent "A" Small and 78.5 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 decreased to a total of 1,844 boxes of 15 dozen eggs and consisted of 3.2 percent "A" Medium, 2.4 percent "A" Small and 94.4 percent Nest-run eggs.

In Newfoundland, the egg market remained active with continued ample supplies available. The weighted average retail price for "A" Large eggs remained at 214.9 cents per dozen. Industrial surplus supplies decreased to a total of 1,680 boxes of 15 dozen eggs and consisted of 0.4 percent "A" Medium and 99.6 percent Nest-run eggs.

Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - 17th October 2003