News

July poultry production under 2021 levels

 U.S. poultry production declined in July.

The USDA says 4.133 billion pounds of poultry were certified wholesale last month, 3% less than July 2021, with a 2% decrease in chicken production to 3.729 billion pounds and a 14% drop for turkey to 393.859 million.

The chicken slaughter fell 2% on the year at 767.097 million head and the average live weight was 1% lower at 6.43 pounds per bird, while the turkey slaughter was down 11% to 16.035 million head and the average live weight was 4% lighter at 30.7 pounds.

Ante-mortem condemnations were 14.177 million pounds, up 4% for 0.26% of the preliminary live weight, while post-mortem condemnations were 23.463 million pounds, down 12% and 0.56% of monthly production.

Year-to-date poultry production is 29.578 billion pounds, slight ahead of the year ago pace.