The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service released its weekly chicken market data on August 21, 2026, covering trading from August 17 to August 21. The national composite whole bird (WOG) weighted average price fell to 116.78 cents per pound, down 0.97 cents from the previous week's 117.75 cents. Trading volume decreased to 8,027 thousand pounds from 8,614 thousand pounds.
Among size categories, birds weighing 2.50 pounds and lighter averaged 136.36 cents per pound, while those in the 2.51 to 3.50 pound range averaged 113.14 cents. Heavier birds (3.51 pounds and above) averaged 89.07 cents. Whole body trading showed a national composite average of 127.24 cents per pound, with lighter birds (3.00 pounds and under) at 128.37 cents and heavier ones at 126.75 cents.
Regional prices varied: Eastern whole body averaged 117.24 cents, Eastern WOGS 115.27 cents, and New York whole body 113.93 cents. Central whole body averaged 98.06 cents, Central WOGS 97.33 cents, and Chicago whole body 97.83 cents. Western whole body averaged 138.19 cents, Western WOGS 138.13 cents, and Los Angeles whole body 136.73 cents.
In grocery store features, the USDA reported that the feature rate decreased 10.7% while the activity index increased 5.8% for the week ending August 21. The national activity index stood at 84,035 for the current week, compared to 79,444 the previous week and 86,539 a year earlier. The feature rate was 81.2%, down from 91.9% last week and 85.8% last year. Parts and prepared items remained the most featured chicken products.
Cold storage holdings as of August 17, 2026, showed frozen eggs at 2,340 thousand pounds, processed turkeys at 63,117 thousand pounds, and processed other poultry at 63,914 thousand pounds. Compared to August 1, frozen eggs decreased by 3 thousand pounds (0%), processed turkeys decreased by 243 thousand pounds (0%), and processed other poultry increased by 522 thousand pounds (1%).
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