News

U.S. poultry production dips during February

U.S. poultry production in February saw a year-to-year decline.

The USDA says 4.012 billion pounds of poultry were certified wholesome last month, 5% less than a year ago, with chicken down 4% at 3.652 billion pounds and turkey dropping 17% to 350.259 million pounds.

The chicken slaughter was 5% lower at 735.008 million head with total live weight declining 4% to 4.836 billion pounds, while the turkey slaughter dipped 19% to 13.274 million head with the total live weight 17% lighter at 441.189 million pounds.

Average live weights for both chickens and turkeys were above last year at 6.58 and 33.24 pounds per bird, respectively.

Condemnations of birds prior to slaughter were up 3% on the year, while condemnations after slaughter fell 9%.

The USDA’s updated annual poultry production projections are out April 10^th.