Chicken demand called for larger allocations in 2025

Strong fundamentals supported increases in domestic chicken production

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Published: 3 days ago

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A variety of packages of chicken legs at the grocery store. Chicken demand has been significant over the past year, along with most other proteins. Photo: AHPPhotoswpg/Getty Images

Chicken quota allocations for an eight-week period reached a record level in the fall of 2025, according to Chicken Farmers of Canada’s recent annual report.

For period A-198, which ran Sept. 21 to Nov. 15, 2025, the allocation of chicken was set at eight per cent above the base, marking the highest such allocation of chicken in the history of Chicken Farmers of Canada.

That followed other healthy allocations earlier in the spring and summer of 2025, at two per cent in June and July and five per cent above base from the end of July to September.

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Chicken Farmers of Ontario reports there were numerous signals that supported the continued growth in chicken production, including an increase in import requests, which meant there was more needed supply in the domestic market.

Strong retail and foodservice demand, low inventories and near-record wholesale prices were supporting the increase in chicken.

Continued strong prices for other meats, including beef, also increased demand for more-affordable chicken.

Those strong fundamentals helped the aggressive setting of 7.5 per cent above base for the end of 2025 and early 2026, even though that’s a time of year when chicken demand is lower.

Despite the higher opportunity to fill chicken demand, the industry has been challenged to get it filled, says the Chicken Farmers of Ontario annual report.

Hatching egg and chick supplies have been constrained and some disease pressure have also limited the supply across the country.

About the author

Glen Hallick

Glen Hallick

Reporter

Glen Hallick grew up in rural Manitoba near Starbuck, where his family farmed. Glen has a degree in political studies from the University of Manitoba and studied creative communications at Red River College. Before joining Glacier FarmMedia, Glen was an award-winning reporter and editor with several community newspapers and group editor for the Interlake Publishing Group. Glen is an avid history buff and enjoys following politics.

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