In theory, supply management is designed to protect both farmers and consumers — a uniquely Canadian invention meant to ensure stability, fairness and predictability in our food supply.

But 2025 has shown how fragile that promise has become.

Canada is now facing one of the most severe chicken shortages in recent history, and consumers — not farmers or processors — are paying the price.

For decades, chicken has been the steady protein of the Canadian diet: Versatile, affordable and insulated from global price swings. Yet this year, the system meant to guarantee a consistent supply simply failed. The Chicken Farmers of Canada , the agency that sets production quotas in eight-week “A-periods,” has underproduced for nine consecutive cycles — something unseen in over 40 years.

The pillars

See Full Page