News

February poultry production up 2% on year

U.S. poultry production was up modestly on the year in February.

The USDA says 4.054 billion pounds of poultry were certified as wholesome in February 2023, up 2% from February 2022. Chicken was 3% higher on the year at 3.624 billion pounds, while turkey was 1% lower at 418.927 million pounds.

February’s chicken slaughter was up 2% at 738.997 million head and the total average live weight was 1% heavier at 6.5 pounds per bird, while the turkey slaughter was 1% above a year ago at 15.967 million head, but the total average live weight was down 2% at 32.8 pounds.

Ante-mortem condemnations were 12.007 million pounds, 7% lower than last year representing 0.22% of the preliminary live weight, while post-mortem condemnations were 25.716 million pounds, 4% higher, making up 0.63% of monthly production.

The USDA’s most recent cold storage report showed chicken and turkey supplies up 10% on the year, indicating at least some slowdown in demand.

For the year to date, U.S. poultry production is 8.53 billion pounds, 5% ahead of the 2022 pace.

The USDA’s next set of annual poultry production estimates is out April 11^th.