Frequently Asked Questions

Supply management is a uniquely Canadian system created in 1965 and governed by provincial and federal legislation to help farmers and consumers alike. The supply management system includes chicken, eggs, turkey, hatching eggs and broiler breeders, and dairy farmers. 

The system operates by matching how much farmers produce with how much Canadians actually need for consumption. This balance keeps our food supply steady and reliable, in addition to reducing food waste. Although some imports are granted access into the Canadian marketplace under existing international trade agreements, the vast majority of supply managed products on your grocery store shelves, and on the plate in your favourite restaurant, are 100% Canadian-produced for consumers to enjoy! 

For Canadians, supply management means you can count on a consistent supply of fresh, high-quality, locally produced chicken, eggs, turkey and dairy products – all at a fair and stable price. It also helps protect our food security by keeping our food production local. At a time of global uncertainty, that’s something worth protecting. 

This system allows for fair farm pricing for farmers. It allows them to focus on farming and earn a fair income from the marketplace without having to rely on government subsidies — unlike in many other countries. It also allows for reinvestment and innovation on their family farms, providing the stability and predictability they need to plan, invest, and continue producing the food Canadians rely on. With supply management, farmers can continue operating the local farm, creating opportunities to pass it down to the next generation of family farmers. 

Supply management is a cornerstone of Canada’s food supply chain. It connects family farms to grocery stores, restaurants and your dinner table. By keeping production steady and local, it supports thousands of Canadian jobs and ensures businesses have a dependable source of homegrown products. 

In Ontario alone, supply management supports 130,000+ jobs and contributes over $17 billion to Ontario’s economy. 

The impact of supply management reaches far beyond the farm. Farmers support businesses throughout the agricultural supply chain and the broader local economy – from suppliers and processors to construction, skilled trades and other local services. 

A farm is never just a farm. It’s part of a community — connected to local businesses, workers, families, and generations of people who have built their lives around Canadian agriculture. When farms have a strong future, so do the communities they call home. Protecting supply management helps protect the economic foundation that many of these rural communities depend on. 

As Canada faces growing economic uncertainty and pressure on our trading relationships, you might have noticed more talk about supply management in the media. That’s because trade agreements, such as the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), sometimes raise questions about how this system fits into international trade. 

These discussions can put supply management in the spotlight — but also remind us how important it is for protecting Canadian farmers and consumers. Supply management is not a barrier to trade – it’s a foundation for food security and food sovereignty! 

It’s easy to show your support for Canadian farmers!

• Look for the “Product of Canada” or local branding when you shop. Here are a few examples:
  
• Choose Canadian chicken, eggs, and turkey whenever possible.
• Join the Protect Your Plate community to stand with the thousands of farm families who keep Canada’s food supply strong.