Egg and broiler production expected to increase in early 2026

Egg production for 2025 was bumped up in the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report.

The September report indicates egg production on an annual basis at 8,661 million dozen eggs, up from the previous month’s projection of 8,587 million dozen eggs. Egg production was raised on recent hatchery data that show a recovery of laying hen inventories during the third quarter of 2025. Increased egg production was carried into the first and second quarters of 2026.

Egg production was estimated at 2,220 million dozen eggs in the third quarter. Egg production was expected to reach 2,250 million and 2,350 million dozen eggs, respectively, in the first and second quarters of 2026.

In the latest Egg Markets Overview, for the Midwest production region, wholesale prices for large, white, shell eggs delivered to warehouses were unchanged at $2.50 per dozen with a steady undertone while the price to producers for large cartoned shell eggs held at $2.32 per dozen.

“Shell egg demand continued to improve as consumers have been responding favorably to increased grocery retailer promotional activity at attractive sale prices,” Egg Markets Overview stated. “Since late July, retailers have ratcheted up featuring for shell eggs of all types with growing confidence in supply that has provided an opportunity to gradually reduce both weekly advertised and everyday prices.”

No new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza were reported over the past week in commercial table egg flocks, the Overview stated.

The price of eggs, estimated at 403.7 cents per dozen for 2025, was forecast to decline to 230 cents a dozen in the first quarter of 2026, according to the WASDE report.

The forecast for red meat and poultry production was reduced for 2025, compared to the previous month, according to WASDE, which is under the direction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Bucking the trend

Poultry production, though, bucked the trend of beef and pork production as those sectors saw a decline.

Broiler production was raised for the third and fourth quarters of this year on recent production and hatchery data, as well as expected higher expected weights, according to WASDE. The increase was carried into broiler production forecasts for 2026.

For September, broiler production was estimated at 47,925 million pounds on an annual basis, which was up from 47,762 million from the previous month. Also, in 2026, broiler production was estimated at 48,300 million pounds, up slightly from the August estimate.

Turkey production was also raised for the second half of 2025 on recent production data; however, production was lowered from the previous month for 2026—the result of lowered hatchery data that indicates a relatively slower rate of growth for next year.

In the third and fourth quarters of 2025, turkey production was estimated at 1,250 million and 1,260 million pounds, respectively, to finish the year at 4,837 million pounds. Production for 2026 was estimated at 5,040 million pounds, which was up from the 2025 estimate, but slightly lower from the previous month projection of 5,120 million pounds.

Broiler, turkey prices

Broiler prices in 2025 are forecast to be lower on recent price weakness and a higher production outlook that trend is expected to continue into 2026. The 2025 estimate of this month to cover this year was at 128.7 cents a pound, which was 2.5 cents a pound less than a month ago. Turkey price forecasts were raised on third and fourth quarters of 2025 on relatively tight supplies, but price forecasts were unchanged for 2026. The price for turkey in the third and fourth quarters were 157 cents and 155 cents a pound. The price in 2026 was estimated at 131 cents a pound.

Broiler exports were raised for 2025 based on recent trade data from 6,481 million to 6,506 million pounds, but 2026 was unchanged 6,610 million pounds. Turkey exports were raised for the third quarter of 2025 to 417 million pounds on recent data, but no changes were made for later quarters that had an estimate of 435 million pounds

Dave Bergmeier can be reached at 620-227-1822 or dbergmeier@hpj.com.