Lately, there’s been a lot of clucking south of the border about “the price of eggs” and Canada’s unwillingness to import U.S. eggs, dairy, and poultry.
Since 1974, Canada has had a supply management system that impacts the price of eggs, poultry and dairy.
Let’s crack open what supply management means for Canadians (hint: it’s something to be proud of).
What’s Supply Management?
In the U.S., egg prices rise and fall depending on the market—one week they’re cheap; the next, they’ve doubled.
Under the US system, farmers often have to produce as many eggs as possible, as cheaply as possible, to make a living. When farmers have to cut costs, animal health and food safety are often the first things put at risk—not because they want to, but because they’re stuck in a system that rewards quantity over quality.
Canada took a different route. Our supply management system is built on quotas, fair pricing, and the control of imports.
1. Making the number of eggs add up
In Canada, only farmers with a government-approved license can produce eggs, and each one is allowed a specific number of laying hens.
That’s because the total number of eggs produced is carefully managed to match what Canadians need—no more or less.
Think of it as a well-planned potluck where everyone contributes something needed, and no one leaves with seven trays of leftover deviled eggs.
2. Keeping the price fair – for everyone
Here’s where Canada really differs from the scramble south of the border: egg prices here are based on the actual cost of production. That includes feed, labour, energy, and equipment.
When those costs go up, the price paid to farmers rises. When they go down, prices can be adjusted too.
This means:
- Farmers can cover their costs and keep their barns running
- Prices for shoppers stay stable and predictable
- And farmers aren’t forced to cut corners on things like animal care or cleanliness to compete
3. Keeping production local
Under supply management, Canada imports only a limited number of eggs from other countries. This helps keep prices steady and prevents local farmers from being pushed out by a flood of cheaper—sometimes lower-standard—imports.
It’s one of the quiet ways Canada protects its food system and supports the people who grow our food close to home.
How You Benefit
Okay, so Canadian eggs might cost a bit more than the cheapest options across the border—but here’s what you’re getting:
- Peace of mind: Prices stay stable, even when global supply chains go off the rails
- Food safety: Canadian farms are tightly regulated, with regular inspections and full traceability from barn to carton
- Animal welfare standards: National codes developed with vets and animal welfare experts to ensure hens are treated well
- Local food security and sovereignty: You’re buying from nearby farms, not halfway around the world
Why Some Eggs Cost More Than Others
When you come to Fiesta Farms, a dozen eggs from Rowe Farms differ from Murray’s Farm Heritage eggs. If egg prices are managed, why do some cost more than others at the store?
We’re glad you asked! Here’s what affects price:
- Housing style: Free-run, free-range, or organic hens need more space and care
- Feed quality: Organic feed isn’t cheap
- Certifications: Eco-certifications add cost
- Scale: Small farms often have higher production costs per egg
Supply management sets the base—but there’s still plenty of room for variety, depending on what values (and hens) you want to support.
Some Criticisms
No system is perfect. Here are a few common critiques of supply management:
- Prices are higher than in countries like the U.S.—though many argue that those low prices come at the cost of lower standards and struggling farmers.
- It’s tough for new farmers to enter the system since quotas can be expensive. (There are some programs to help, but it’s still a challenge.)
- Trade tensions pop up, especially with the U.S., which would love to export more of its eggs, milk, and chicken to Canada. But opening the market risks undermining our entire system.
Even with these trade-offs, many Canadians agree that protecting a local, stable, high-quality food system is worth it.
So whether you’re dyeing Easter eggs, baking spring treats, or just whipping up a weekday omelette, take a moment to appreciate what’s behind the shell.
In a world of uncertainty, the humble Canadian egg is one thing we can count on.