Average retail price for chicken in Canada 2017-2024

The retail price of a whole chicken reached 6.57 Canadian dollars per kilogram in Canada in March 2024, marking the highest amount in the time period under consideration. The price of chicken had remained relatively constant over the past few years, staying between five and seven dollars per kilogram. 

Fluctuations in the Canadian chicken market

Despite chicken prices remaining relatively stable, household expenditure on the white meat has varied recently, with average annual spending hitting a six-year low in 2017 at 230 Canadian dollars. Regardless of a decrease in household spending, chicken production reached an all-time high in 2022, with around 1.34 million metric tons of chicken produced in Canada. However, the volume of chicken exported from Canada has not increased in line with this increase in production. This suggests that Canadians are purchasing and consuming more chicken, yet they are purchasing cheaper cuts or varieties as expenditure is declining.

Opinions on chicken consumption

Males aged over 55 are the most likely demographic to actively include chicken in their diet, whilst females aged between 18 and 34 are most likely to avoid eating chicken. Females from this age group are also most likely to see eating less meat as a protein source as a positive choice.