Specialty Market Allocation Consultation and Pilot Project

In 2024, the BCCMB developed a pilot project to address the long-standing inequitable quota allocation among specialty growers.

The Board’s Specialty Market Allocation Committee (SMAC) reviewed the proposed pilot project and provided feedback to the Board April 10, 2024. Staff also met with individual processors to explain the project in more detail and hear their concerns.

The first 48-week allocation of the pilot project was implemented with the A-198 allocation (September 21, 2025) and runs through to the end of A-203 (August 22, 2026).

The pilot project changed the way in which specialty quota allocation is assigned. The result is that under the new pilot project system of allocation over 48 weeks, some growers will receive more quota than they were previously allotted under the old system, and some necessarily will receive less, but the distribution will be fair. This is the goal of the proposed policy changes. Nevertheless, we recognize that there may be other unintended consequences of any policy change, so the Board plans to carry out the ‘pilot project’ for a period of not less than 18 months and not more than two years. This allows for any necessary amendments before any changes in the General Orders.

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Official Memos

The memos linked below provide more detailed information on the pilot project and Board decision. 

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The most recent memo dated July 29, 2026, is an updated timeline with processor and grower deadlines for the second 48-week allocation of the pilot project which will run for the production periods: A-204 to the end of A-209 (August 23, 2026 – July 24, 2027).

In June 2026, Rossdown Farms & Natural Foods gave notice of its intent to withdraw from the TC specialty bird market at the end of A-204, largely due to the ongoing impacts of HPAI and CFC policy changes. To adjust the allocations proportionately and allow for the net decrease in overall specialty demand, the Board had to re-allocate the two-block period A-204 and A-205 and the four-block period A-206 to A-209. The Rossdown growers have been dispersed to the other three specialty processors.

Because of this reallocation, the Board will not be seeking a mid-allocation update from processors as previously planned.