USA: Broiler market overview for 51 weeks from December 25, 2023

Average prices for chicken cuttings maintain a positive adjustment against the backdrop of rising prices for all items except the legs group and MMO minced MEAT.  

The U.S. poultry industry faced significant challenges in 2023 , but there were notable positives for consumers. Despite struggling with issues like bird flu and widespread plant closures, poultry products have become more affordable for the average consumer.

Analysts note a slight improvement in the bird flu situation compared to the previous year, but also note that broiler slaughter has decreased. The closure of numerous factories across the country has further weakened the industry's capabilities. However, the year ended with an increase in overall poultry production.

Bird flu  remained a serious problem. By December, it had destroyed 426 commercial and 586 backyard flocks in the United States, killing more than 72.5 million birds.  

Experts emphasized the resilience of the industry, especially in the first months of the year. However, by August, problems, including plant closures and persistent HPAI, began to take their toll.

Interestingly, despite the challenges in the industry, consumers have seen a silver lining in the form of lower prices for poultry products. Analysts attribute this price decline to improvements in the supply chain. Notably, after a staggering 145% rise in egg prices in 2022, egg prices fell by 29% in 2023. Similar trends were observed in the prices of broilers and turkeys.

Dynamics of prices and sales volumes of broilers

Weighted average price for broilers by region

Region

Weighted average price, cents/pound

Sales (thousand pounds)

Week 50

Week 51

Weekly growth,%

Week 50

Week 51

Weekly growth,%

Oriental

124.27

125.66

1.1%

4,668

5,767

23.5%

Central

118.35

118.34

0.0%

3 252

3 137

-3.5%

West

138.25

138.14

-0.1%

3 100

3,075

-0.8%

Dynamics of prices for chicken cutting

Weekly reviews are available free of charge as part of a subscription to monthly analytics of Russian meat markets.