US: Broiler Market Outlook Week 5, February 3, 2025

Cargill announced that it will close its turkey processing plant in Springdale, Arkansas, on August 1. Processing will be moved to plants in Missouri and Virginia. Despite the closure, Cargill emphasized thatTurkey remains a key part of its protein portfolio and has pledged to honour contracts with producers. The move is part of a broader effort to cut its workforce by 5% after revenues declined in the MEAT, grain and oilseeds sectors. Other poultry companies have also closed plants in recent years.

Food prices in January 2025 increased by 2.5% year-on-year to December 2024. Food prices are expected to increase by 2.2%, slower than the historical average .

Egg prices rose sharply by 36.8% year-on-year in December 2024, with prices forecast to rise by 20.3% in 2025 amid ongoing supply constraints.

The CPI, which tracks wholesale prices, suggests continued volatility at the farm level and wholesale markets, with significant swings forecast for eggs. Farm-level egg prices are expected to rise sharply by 45.2% in 2025, with the wide forecast range reflecting uncertainty.

 Dynamics of prices and sales volumes of broilers

Average weighted price of broilers by region

Region

Average weighted price, cents/lb

Sales volume (thousand pounds)

Week 4

Week 5

Growth per week,%

Week 4

Week 5

Growth per week,%

Oriental

131.18

129.64

-1.2%

4 910

4 838

-1.5%

Central

123.70

116.34

-5.9%

2 334

2 271

-2.7%

West

145.40

143.66

-1.2%

3 065

3 040

-0.8%

Dynamics of prices for chicken cuttings

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