Preliminary December broiler production was 3.8 billion pounds, which would bring 2022 annual production to 46.2 billion pounds. That is 103 percent of 2021.
The increase was driven by larger slaughter in the second half of 2022 and heavier bird weights in Q1 and, especially, in Q4.
Some of that momentum going into 2023 will be lost as hatchery data shows a drop back to nearer 2021 levels.
While still ahead of last year, it’s a dramatic drop from the trend beginning in June, but June is when wholesale chicken prices started to drop. Likewise, June was when chicken in cold storage moved toward month-over-month increases through the end of the year. As of December, total stocks in cold storage were 931.8 million pou...
What You Need to Know Today: Markets got a surprise with a corn yield of 181.2 bushels/acre in the October WASDE, above the average estimate of 177.6 bushels/acre and up from USDA’s September estimate of 178.5 bushels/acre. Although stronger demand is expected to absorb some of the addit...
Key Takeaways: On Friday afternoon, President Trump announced that Russia will “immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel” to the United States. The deal, typical of this administration, is light on details but promises an additional 500,000 tons in November and 1 m...
The USDA has lowered its 2026 red meat production forecasts slightly while forecasting a slight increase in broiler production. Beef is now projected at 24.802 billion pounds, 75 million pounds less than in September. Cow slaughter is expected to be up; however, this will be offset by lower ste...
