Building Bridges: Canada is not the U.S.

The interest in buying and supporting all things Canadian has spiked up recently, just like our elbows. This has led to more direct and, sometimes, uncomfortable conversations about Canadian and U.S. farming and food systems. 

I recently gave presentations to several food and nutrition college classes in Toronto, and the students had some great questions about how Canadian farming compares to farming in the United States – both the similarities and the differences. Here are some insights you might find helpful to share in your next conversations with colleagues, family and friends.

Family matters

The Canadian food system is strongly rooted in family farms. Family owner-operators make decisions based on what is best for their family, land, and birds – for today and for future generations. While there are family farms in the U.S., the model has evolved to a higher percentage of integrations and company-owned or controlled food chains. It’s worth noting that while some farms in Canada do operate under this business model, they represent a small percentage overall.

Size matters

Canadian farms are larger and more specialized than the mixed farms from just a few decades ago. However, Canadian farms are significantly smaller than their American counterparts.

For example, Egg Farmers of Canada reported that 1,270 egg farmers had an average of 22,503 layers per farm in 2024. The United Egg Producers report that less than 150 commercial egg farmers with flocks of 75,000 hens or more care for more than 95 per cent of the laying hens in the U.S. 

Be cautious in comparing farm sizes when talking with Canadians. Use it as valuable context but remember that the average Canadian might only have one cat or dog, so 22,000 chickens still sounds like a lot!  

Egg matters

What about egg prices and why they are so volatile and expensive in the U.S.? We are hearing reports on egg surcharges at restaurants, record prices or switching protein choices to avoid eggs. 

While avian influenza continues to wreak havoc on poultry farms, it is important to remember that scale matters. If even one large farm – or a region with several large farms – is affected, the number of birds lost can be enormous, and the volume of eggs they supply to the market can quickly drop to zero.

While we have lost millions of birds to several avian influenza in Canada over the last few years, the impacts on our market have been smaller because of the smaller numbers of birds per farm. The numbers are still significant and not to be taken lightly. The risks and costs and emotional toll on farmers and all involved are real and it’s heavy. 

Food matters

We are dealing with living creatures, Mother Nature, and complex food systems. We can’t just “double shift” at another location to make up some more chickens, turkeys or eggs overnight. Factors like disease or weather have huge impacts on our food system. Many are unaware of these risks and how they affect our food availability. 

Supply management matters

Unlike beef or grain, Canadian poultry and dairy farmers focus on our Canadian market. The goal is to produce the amount of food Canadians need at the right time every week without a depleted supply or wasteful surplus. 

Farmers buy quota, a license to produce, to ensure their share of the market and a fair return on their investment and efforts. This is called “supply management” – we manage our supply. The benefit to Canadians is a steady food supply with stable prices.

What about tariffs? There are so many wildcards happening in the tariff and trade game right now that what you might say today can change tomorrow. The fundamental principles of focusing on our own Canadian market remain solid. 

Feeding Canada matters

The support for buying Canadian and supporting our own farms and food system partners has never been higher. Keep those conversations going. Encourage curiosity and questions and share your why you’re passionate about feeding our country. 

Crystal Mackay is CEO of Loft32 and co-founder of the online training resource UTENSIL.CA. She helped create both with the goal to elevate people, businesses and the conversations on food and farming with training, speaking and projects.