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Chapter 1: Introduction
In 2003, the world turkey production was estimated at 5,241,416 metric
tons, a decrease of 2.6% compared to the previous year, but a growth of
22.9% compared to the production level of 10 years ago that totalled 4,264,987
metric tons (1994). This growth of over 20% reflects in part the growing
desire for products high in proteins, but low in carbohydrates amongst western
populations (as proven by the popularity of such diets). Nonetheless, turkey
has not experienced the same growth as chicken that grew 49% during the
same span and is still fighting the preconception that turkey is a holiday
meat.
In terms of world turkey meat production, the United States are by far
the top producer, being responsible for close to half of the world production
(48.3% in 2003). Contrarily to chicken production that has seen major new
actors appear on the world scene in the last decades (e.g. Brazil, Thailand),
there is no country that comes close to the United States’ turkey
production. In fact, France, that ranked second in 2003, only produced ¼ of
the United States production that year. As for Canada, it ranked 7th with
2.8% of the world’s turkey production.
Graph 1 - World Turkey Production
Farm cash receipts from farms active in the turkey
industry totalled $260.7 million in 2003 although according to the Canadian
Turkey Marketing Agency (CTMA),
the turkey industry (including both production and processing) generates
more than $1.9 billion in economic activity and the turkey production sector
alone generates $590 million. Employment wise, it is estimated that 2,675
people are directly employed at the farm gate level and that 2,537 people
are indirectly employed because of turkey production. It is also estimated
that the turkey processing sector employs about 10,200 people directly and
indirectly on a full-time equivalent.
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