Poultry production on upswing

The latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report notes that poultry production was raised from the previous month.

The WASDE report, issued July 10 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said higher poultry production more than offsets lower red meat production.

Broiler production was raised in the second and third quarters based on recent processing data and producers responding to profit margins. Production was estimated at 12,750 million pounds and 12,400 million pounds for the second and third quarters, respectively. For the year, annual production was estimated at 49,552 million pounds, about 175 million pounds higher than forecast a month ago.

Turkey production was also raised on recent processing data but was reduced slightly in the fourth quarter to 1,300 million pounds. For the year, production was projected at 5,050 million pounds.

Egg production was unchanged at 9,117 million dozen eggs.

Broiler exports for 2027 are unchanged at 6,575 million pounds. Turkey exports were raised for the second quarter of 2026 based on recent trade data but are unchanged for the remainder of 2026 and for 2027. Turkey exports are estimated at 415 million pounds.

Price estimates

Broiler prices were unchanged at about 121 cents per pound in the second half of 2026 and 122 cents per pound in 2027.

Turkey prices were raised for the remainder of 2026, based on recent price data, to about 165 cents per pound and are projected at 130 cents per pound for 2027. Egg prices were lowered slightly for the fourth quarter to 115 cents per dozen but are unchanged for 2027 at 108 cents per dozen.

The USDA’s Egg Markets Overview, issued earlier in July, noted that in the major Midwest production region, wholesale prices for large, white-shell eggs delivered to warehouses were up 14 cents to 65 cents per dozen with a steady undertone. Prices paid to producers for large cartoned shell eggs were up 14 cents to 47 cents per dozen. Overall demand was light, and offerings were moderate to available.

Feature activity for shell eggs at retail grocery stores was slightly higher than a week earlier. The average advertised price for conventional caged eggs decreased 43 cents to $1.05 per dozen.

Dave Bergmeier can be reached at 620-227-1822 or [email protected].