By Charlene Tebbutt

Egg producers ramp up production as Easter approaches

Mar 29, 2018 | 5:00 PM

Egg production in Saskatchewan ramped up this month as producers across the province prepare for the Easter weekend.

Whether they’re hard-boiled with your Sunday meal or used for fun crafts with the kids, demand for eggs increases in the days leading up to Easter. Shawn Harman, with Harman Eggs and Star Egg Company, said they see a 50 per cent increase in egg sales as the holiday approaches.

“Everybody’s going to the grocery store,” Harman said.The Saskatchewan Egg Producers said there are close to 70 registered producers in the province and approximately 1.1 million birds in commercial production. 

“Last year we actually had over 32.5 million dozens produced in the province. So that’s actually over 390 million eggs,” Cam Broten, executive director of the Saskatchewan Egg Producers, said. “We’re busy all year round, but of course there’s extra demand on the grocery store shelves at Easter time.”

Broten said it’s a good time for the egg industry, and more young people are starting their own operations. The Saskatchewan Egg Producers offers support to new producers through their new entrant program, he said.

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“That’s been really exciting as we see new producers come online,” Broten added.

Make this Easter the most eggcellent yet with these fun ideas! pic.twitter.com/CX5rh0Uw2q

— Egg Farmers (@eggsoeufs) March 22, 2018

According to Agri-Food and Agriculture Canada, there were 1,062 registered egg producers in Canada in 2016, generating $1,036 million in total farm cash receipts. Along with supplying eggs to Canadian grocery stores, hotels, and restaurants, Canada also exported 7.4 million kilograms of processed eggs worth more than $21 million and 6.2 million dozen shell eggs worth $5.1 million, the federal organization said. Processed eggs include whole eggs, egg whites, and yolks in frozen, dried or liquid form.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada said consumption is increasing across the country, in part because more consumers want cheaper protein sources.

charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt