The Manitoba Advantage in Turkey Protein

Manitoba is well-positioned to support a growing turkey sector. It has access to a steady supply of turkey poults, with one of the few turkey hatcheries in the country located within the province. In addition, the province typically offers lower live turkey prices compared to other provinces.

Photo of a whole roast turkey on a black ceramic plate garnished with greens, tomatoes and yellow peppers on a white background 

Manitoba’s Turkey Industry

There are 51 turkey farms in Manitoba, raising approximately 1.6 million turkeys annually.

  • Turkey farms in the province typically produce from three to five flocks per year, with many farms growing turkeys seasonally from spring through to fall.
  • The average turkey farm in Manitoba raises 6,500 turkeys per flock. 
  • In 2021, Manitoba produced 9.5 million kilograms of turkey meat.
  • Turkey production in Manitoba generated $29 million in farm cash receipts in 2022.
  • Provincial turkey allocations are controlled through a national supply-managed marketing system. 

Producers

  • Charison’s Turkey Hatchery (no website available)

Industry Associations

There is an increase in consumer demand for smaller, convenient turkey products, such as ground turkey, deli meats, and convenience foods.

Research

Turkey farmers in Manitoba support research related to turkey farming, poultry research, food safety and quality, and production sustainability through the Turkey Farmers of Canada’s Research Strategy. There is ongoing research on genetics, bird welfare, bird health, and industry best practices at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and educational institutions.

Contact

For more information about Manitoba's turkey sector or if you would like this information in an alternate format, email us at: agindustrydev@gov.mb.ca.