Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Chicken agency hikes allocation

Chicken demand is increasing again, prompting the national supply management agency to increase its allocation for production late this summer.

The original plan agreed to on May 4 was to increase allocation by three per cent above base.


Now it’s going to be 4.5 per cent above base.


For Ontario the increase will be 4.95 per cent.


The hatching egg industry said it can meet the increased demand.

Bill Van Heeswyk, executive director of the Ontario Broiler and Hatching Egg Chick Commission, e-mailed that "the domestic hatching egg supply is stable and adequate and U.S. supply is stable. OBHECC continues to work with hatcheries and hatching egg producers to achieve the best outcome for CFO farmer-members. 

"Accordingly, the anticipated chick supply volumes for A-171 are forecasted to be at levels to meet the sector requirements." 


The Chicken Farmers of Ontario marketing board said it will soon be notifying processors of how much change they can each expect.


The marketing board had to adjust as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted markets, closing restaurants and cafeterias, but increasing demand in supermarkets.


It also had to cope with a brief closure of the Cargill plant in London.

The board said it has developed contacts along the supply chain so it’s prepared to adjust production, this time to increase supply.