By the Numbers: Canadian Turkey Consumption

Toronto – October 5, 2022 –  With the start of October, turkey season is upon us, and new industry data reveals just how much Canadians love turkey.

Consumption statistics from the Turkey Farmers of Canada, the national voice of Canadian turkey farmers, show that 2.7 million whole turkeys were purchased by Canadians during the 2021 Thanksgiving holiday, equal to 45 percent of all turkeys that were sold last year. This is 600,000 more turkeys than were purchased at Christmas! 
 
But the fact is, Canadians enjoy eating turkey year-round, as over 6.1 million whole turkeys were sold across the country in 2021. Below is a brief breakdown of turkey consumption in Canada, as we head into this year’s turkey-eating season:
 
  • Canadians consumed 133.3 million kg (Mkg) of turkey in the year 2021.
  • Per capita turkey consumption in 2021 was 3.5 kg.
  • The Nielson Company reported an estimated 47.7.3 Mkg of turkey and turkey products were purchased at retail by Canadians in 2021 (excluding deli products).
  • Of that 47.7.3 Mkg, 36.5 Mkg of whole turkeys were purchased.
  • In 2021, Canadian households consumed a total of 6.1 million whole turkeys.
  • Annual sales of turkey parts and processed turkey products in Canadian supermarkets increased from 10.7 Mkg in 2017, to 11.2 Mkg in 2021 (excluding deli products).
  • At Christmas 2021, 2.1 million whole turkeys were purchased by Canadians, equal to 35% of all whole turkeys that were sold over the year.
From coast to coast, UFCW Canada members proudly make a wide range of delicious turkey products, at companies like Exceldor, Flamingo, Granny’s, Lilydale, Olymel, Maple Leaf, Sofina, and Spécialités Prodal, among others.To learn more about the amazing turkey products made by UFCW members throughout the country, and other UFCW-made food, visit our Great Canadian Food Products page.
 
Source: “Canada’s turkey industry: By the numbers.” Turkey Farmers of Canada. October 2022. Online: https://www.turkeyfarmersofcanada.ca/industry-information/industry-statistics/.