US Broiler Market Outlook Week 14, April 7, 2025

The poultry industry has faced increased costs for feed, labor, and biosecurity measures. Disease outbreaks, including avian influenza , have also led to periodic supply disruptions. As a result, producers are paying more to maintain operations, leading to higher wholesale and retail prices.

Poultry prices are expected to rise, though not as sharply as beef . The industry faces ongoing challenges, including high feed costs and labor shortages. While producers work to stabilize supplies, increased production costs will likely be passed on to consumers. Chicken, often viewed as a budget protein, may still be a cost-effective choice compared to red meat, but consumers should expect some price increases.

Egg producers have been significantly impacted by rising feed costs and disease outbreaks. The poultry industry has taken measures to combat avian influenza and other health issues, but these efforts come at a cost. While egg prices may stabilize, production costs remain high, keeping wholesale and retail prices higher than pre-pandemic levels. While egg prices may stabilize somewhat compared to previous years, they are expected to remain high. Buyers may experience occasional price spikes, particularly during peak demand periods such as holidays.

The U.S. government is scrambling to secure egg imports from Europe to combat soaring domestic prices, just as American families are preparing for Easter. But the hunt for eggs abroad has proven more challenging than expected. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approached several European countries, including Germany, Poland, Italy, and Sweden, to help with domestic shortages caused by bird flu, according to European industry groups. However, Europe is facing its own challenges with bird flu and Easter demand, leaving little surplus. "We have about 45 million eggs that we can collect from chicken coops every day, while America is short about 50 million eggs a day," said Hans-Peter Goldnick, president of the German Egg Producers Association. "That shows how difficult it is."

Clashing standards. Even when eggs are available, regulatory hurdles are significant. US food safety laws require eggs to be washed and refrigerated, unlike EU regulations , which prohibit washing to preserve the natural protective coating on the shell. "These two systems couldn't be more different," Goldnik noted. In most European countries, eggs are often sold unwashed, sometimes with feathers or dirt on them. Katarzyna Gawrońska, director of the Polish National Chamber of Poultry and Feed Producers, said the "washed or unwashed" debate is central to discussions with US officials. Polish authorities are currently examining whether they can meet stricter US sanitary standards.

Given regulatory and supply challenges, European officials say processed egg products—powdered, liquid, or frozen—are the most viable export option. "If the US certifies Poland as a source," said Gawrońska, "our member states could supply very large volumes of processed egg products." These products, which are pasteurized and used in food production, could help alleviate shortages in US bakeries, hospitals, and restaurants.

 Price dynamics and sales volumes of broilers

Average weighted price of broilers by region

Region

Average price, cents/pound

Sales volume (thousands of pounds)

Week 13

Week 14

Weekly growth,%

Week 13

Week 14

Weekly growth,%

Oriental

131.67

131.99

0.2%

4,679

4,667

-0.3%

Central

126.80

126.91

0.1%

2,792

2,882

3.2%

West

146.87

147.80

0.6%

3,075

3,050

-0.8%

Chicken cutting price dynamics

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