Primary Turkey Sector

Sector Manager - Nicolas Paillat   Email: nicolaspaillat@cpepc.ca   Tel: 613 724-6605 ext 2

Sector Directors:
Kerry Towle - Sofina Foods Inc. - Edmonton, AB
Ben Brooks - Maple Leaf Foods Inc. - Mississauga, ON

The Canadian turkey processing industry has consolidated in recent years and CPEPC’s primary turkey processing sector represents the interests of 9 Canadian member companies who directly employ more than 1,800 workers in their 16 primary processing plants across the country. In addition, CPEPC turkey member companies operate multiple further processing plants and are responsible for more than 85% of Canadian further processed turkey production. Total plant and equipment investment is in excess of $120 million.

With an annual throughput of approximately 170 million kilograms (eviscerated weight), our members process in excess of 93% of all turkey processed in Canada.

In a Canadian domestic market where consumers are eating less meat on a per capita basis, Canadian per capita consumption of turkey meat remains steady. The domestic market has evolved from one that relied on sales of whole birds at festive seasons to the current market that features more than half of our turkey sold as cut up and further processed products through retail, food service and institutional channels.

Primary turkey processors work closely with the turkey producer members of the Turkey Farmers of Canada. Two members of the CPEPC are members of the Board of Directors of the Agency, and have been working with the producers to develop policies that will allow the Canadian turkey industry to maintain the flexibility necessary to meet new market demands.