Broiler production has shined in 2025
Higher broiler production stood out for this year in the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report issued Nov. 14.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the statistics were in comparison to the September report. No report was issued in October due to the federal government shutdown.
Broiler production forecasts for the third and fourth quarters were raised to 12,315 million pounds and 12,000 million pounds, respectively, based on production data reported through August and daily processing data reported through early November. For the year, the projection was at 47,965 million pounds.
Production and processing rates are expected to carry into 2026 with an annual production estimate of 48,375 million pounds.
The fourth quarter broiler price forecast was lowered on recent prices and raised production expectations; that trend is expected to continue in 2026. The price was estimated at 110 cents per pound with annual projection of 124.7 cents per pound. The 2026 price was estimated at 125 cents per pound.
Exports were raised on 2025 data with higher exports carried into 2026.
Turkey
Turkey production was lowered on production data reported through August and highly pathogenic avian influenza-related culling through early November. On an annual basis turkey production was estimated at 4,807 million pounds. Production was also reduced for the first and second quarters in 2026 at 1,200 million pounds and 1,220 million pounds, respectively.
Turkey prices were raised for the fourth quarter of 2025 because of reduced production expected and that trend will continue into 2026. The fourth-quarter price was estimated at 135 cents a pound and the price in 2026 was estimated at 140 cents a pound.
Exports were reduced for this year and 2026 on the most recent data and tighter domestic supplies.
Eggs
Egg production was lowered based on production data reported through August, and avian influenza cases reported through early November. Egg production was estimated at 8,666 million dozen eggs on an annual basis. Egg production was projected to be higher for all of 2026 at 9,250 million dozen eggs.
Egg prices were reduced on lower third quarter prices continuing into the fourth quarter at 283 and 215 cents per dozen, and the 2026 egg price forecast was also reduced to 195 cents a dozen on an annual basis.
The November Egg Markets Overview noted that in the major Midwest production region, wholesale prices for large, white, shell eggs delivered to warehouses increased $0.26 to $2.01 per dozen with a firm undertone while the price to producers for large carton shell eggs rose to $1.83 per dozen.
“Demand for shell eggs ticked up over the past week as grocery retailers conducted active and ongoing nation-wide promotions into the Thanksgiving baking demand season at very attractive ad pricing—in some cases, the lowest prices of 2025,” the overview noted. “The focus is now shifting away from baking and towards turkeys—the centerpiece of the holiday meal and retail egg featuring has begun to slow. But even as consumer demand fades, marketer interest rises as they work to restock in preparation for the approaching early December cookies season.”
In 2025 to date, based on the latest data from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, HPAI in commercial table egg layer flocks have resulted in the depopulation of 41.7 million birds.
To date, USDA APHIS has confirmed 49 outbreaks in layer flocks in Arizona, California, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Dave Bergmeier can be reached at 620-227-1822 or [email protected].
