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On the eve of World Hunger Day, Tuesday, a broad coalition of farmers, protein producers, hunger advocates, and government partners officially launched the Coalition to Close the Protein Gap — a $40 million public-private initiative aimed at permanently eliminating America’s annual 800-million-pound charitable protein shortfall. NCC is among the supporting organizations backing the effort, which is led by HATCH, the nation’s largest nonprofit focused on protein insecurity, and includes federal partners HHS and USDA. The goal: deliver up to 3 billion protein-rich meals to American families every year.

The brightest spot in the animal protein segment over the past couple of years has been consumer demand. Americans are still overwhelmingly choosing protein as retail meat department dollar sales were up 6.8% and unit sales were 2% higher for the 52 weeks ending January 2026, according to Circana sales data.

The poultry sector has grown rapidly over the past decade, expanding faster than any other animal production sector and contributing significantly to global nutrition and food security.

Broiler meat production is undergoing a technological transformation driven by precision farming, automation, AI, robotics, genetics, and sustainability initiatives.

Prices demonstrate resilience despite a turnaround in production.

Seventeen U.S. states have been cleared to send raw poultry meat and meat products to China, according to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website.

President Trump’s meeting in China last week with President Xi Jinping produced some positive news for U.S. agriculture and raised expectations that poultry exports to the market could experience a critical revival as a result.

Tyson Foods CEO Donnie King said the company's chicken business places a strong emphasis on its value-added product offerings, and that is one of the major reasons it can handle unfavorable economic trends facing the broiler industry.

WASHINGTON — The egg industry segment continues to make inroads to bounce back in production from last year’s table egg losses with larger layer inventories for the first half of 2026, USDA reports.

Standardized key welfare indicators are the foundation for meaningful improvement in poultry production.

The 6th International Poultry Congress – Digitalization and Health in Poultry Production, organized by the Turkish Branch of the World’s Poultry Science Association (WPSA) and hosted by Fırat University, was successfully held in Elazığ, Türkiye, on 7–8 May 2026.

Broiler, egg exports down from last year

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed the creation of a “Digital Customs and Logistics Alliance” within the framework of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program. The initiative was announced at the 59th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), held on May 4 in Samarkand, according to the presidential press service.

Sergey Shklyaev, Minister for Customs Cooperation of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), held a working meeting with Fanil Kadirov, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the EEC, and Rovshan Akramov, representative of the Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Russian Federation.

Poultry is growing fast—but what does it take to scale production, maintain quality, and stay profitable?

The turkey plant in Melrose, Minnesota, will now operate under the name Legacy Turkey.

Quail meat in the U.S. represents a niche but steadily expanding market, driven by gourmet cuisine, health-conscious consumers, and sustainable farming practices.

Chicken business projected to top $2 billion in adjusted operating income for fiscal 2026.

The birds now count for 23bn of the 30bn land animals living on farms

USAPEEC will participate in the international exhibitions Agro Pack Turkmenistan 2026 and Food Turkmenistan 2026, which will take place from May 12 to 14 in Ashgabat. The events will be held at the Congress Hall of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and traditionally bring together representatives of the food industry, packaging sector, and agricultural business.

Lower feed costs and rising production are not enough to offset pressure on industry profitability.

The European Union, through the Directorate General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE), conducted an audit in the U.S. from April 20–30 focused on the U.S. response and management of HPAI, particularly within primary breeding operations (day-old chicks and hatching eggs). These represent a significant portion of live poultry exports to the EU.

Farmers pivot to plant proteins amid GLP-1 diet surge

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — Broiler and egg production are increasing in 2026, but weaker export demand and softer prices are creating mixed conditions across the poultry sector, according to the USDA’s latest Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook.

The National Food Safety Center will be in Urbandale, Iowa, and will serve as the primary hub for FSIS administrative, technical and support operations.

Country Captain Chicken, General Tso’s Chicken, Turducken

Fogging technology targets airborne HPAI transmission in poultry houses. A research team led by Purdue University, with partners Entomol and 1,4Group, has been awarded $2 million from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to evaluate an antiviral fogging technology to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), according to a Purdue University press release.

Rising infrastructure costs, continuing HPAI outbreaks lead to more modest outlook for year ahead, despite growth in protein demand. The U.S. broiler industry performed strongly in 2025, driven by rising consumer demand for boneless meat.

Despite significant price increases in recent years, leg quarters still appear cheaper on a relative basis to other animal proteins.

After enduring a difficult 2024 marked by disease outbreaks and weak demand, the U.S. turkey industry experienced a market turnaround in 2025.

Chicken Rochambeau, chicken Tetrazzini and Cornell chicken BBQ sauce

The federal government has tightened its standards for what constitutes a concentrated industry and this may lead to even greater scrutiny of future mergers and acquisitions.

The global poultry industry outlook remains strong, with 2.5%-3% growth expected in global consumption.

The Government of Kazakhstan distributed the volumes tariff quotas for poultry meat for the rest of 2026 (April-December) among 27 historical suppliers. Ninety per cent of a total of 94,500 tons for poultry meat and edible offal has been allocated among historical importers and ten per cent – among new companies.

According to USDA Foreign Agricultural Service data, U.S. broiler exports in January–February 2026 edged lower in both volume and value, reflecting weaker shipments to several major markets, including Mexico, Cuba, Taiwan, China, and Canada. However, strong growth across a wide range of emerging and secondary destinations helped partially offset these declines.

Chicken Divan, Chicken Kiev and Chicken Marengo

SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Tyson Foods recently announced that the company would be expanding its partnership with the University of Arkansas Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, introducing one of the first ever jersey patch sponsorships and creating one of the most visible brand integrations in college sports.

The main pressure comes from energy markets, as rising oil prices are supporting higher quotations for vegetable oils and sugar. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Food Price Index (FFPI) averaged 128.5 points in March 2026, increasing by 2.4% compared to February. This marks the second consecutive month of growth. On a yearly basis, the index rose by 1.0%, although it remains nearly 20% below its peak level of March 2022.

From rising poultry feed prices in Vietnam to plummeting egg prices in Pakistan – the global supply disruptions due to the war in the Middle East and the partial blockade of the Strait of Hormuz increasingly affect poultry trade.

The Committee for Veterinary Control and Supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan announced that, due to the improving epizootic situation in the states of Alabama and Oklahoma (USA), it will lift previously imposed restrictions on the import and transit of live poultry, hatching eggs, poultry meat, and unheated poultry products through Kazakhstan, effective April 3, 2026.

This is a rich chicken dish that uses lots of cream with pimentos and sherry. It is served either on hot buttered toast, pastry shells, or in a nest of noodles. There are several stories/legends as to who created this dish.

The story of the poultry industry is one of continuous improvements. Steady advancements have reshaped the economics of food production, improved sustainability and helped make chicken the most consumed protein in the United States, said Mike Donohue, retired vice president of Agri Stats.

With a legacy spanning more than a century, Perdue Farms is a fourth-generation, family-owned American food and agriculture company known for its commitment to quality, animal welfare, and sustainability. From its beginnings, the company has worked closely with family farmers across the United States, focusing on long-term stewardship of animals, land, and communities.

Broiler chickens are one of the most important sources of animal protein worldwide. Their rapid growth, efficient feed conversion, and high-quality meat make them a cornerstone of modern poultry production.

Georgia regained its status as free of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, HPAI, in poultry on March 13, which means the state can restart exports and international trade of its poultry products.

U.S. operations lead with 14.8% margins as Just Bare brand hits $1 billion in retail sales. Pilgrim's Pride Corp. reported net sales of $18.5 billion for 2025, driven by growth across its U.S., European and Mexican operations, the company announced.

Projected broiler production was adjusted higher in the first half of 2026 reflecting recent hatchery data, while 2026 broiler export projections were unchanged.

Simmons Foods Inc. is a family-owned, vertically integrated company headquartered in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Founded in 1949, the company has grown into a diversified food and ingredients producer with strong expertise in poultry, pet food, and animal nutrition.‍

Aviagen is planning to invest US$40 million in a new poultry breeding cluster in Uzbekistan. The US poultry genetics company aims to strengthen the country’s domestic poultry supply and reduce reliance on imported breeding stock.

We invite you to meet U.S. poultry producers and suppliers at the UzFood 2026 International Food Exhibition, which will take place April 1–3 in Tashkent. Industry representatives will be pleased to discuss cooperation opportunities, present their products, and connect with food industry professionals. The USAPEEC booth will be located at G80–G86, pavilion A in NEZ Uzexpocentre.

U.S. turkey exports reached a record value in January 2026, broiler export volume rose, and egg exports declined slightly, according to USDA data.

Farmer's Report - March 13, 2026 US Foods® is one of America’s great food companies and a leading foodservice distributor, partnering with approximately 250,000 restaurants and foodservice operators to help their businesses succeed. With 30,000 employees and more than 70 locations, we provide our customers with a broad and innovative food offering and a comprehensive suite of e-commerce, technology, and business solutions.

Consumers may have noticed the cost of chicken meat has not climbed in relation to soaring egg prices amid production losses due to highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts say several factors make meat production broiler farms more resilient to outbreaks, keeping prices relatively stable.

Peco Foods Inc. is a family-owned, fully integrated poultry grower, processor, and marketer headquartered in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Founded in 1937 by Herman Hickman in Gordo, Alabama, the company began as a small hatchery and feed mill. Over the decades, it has grown into a major U.S. poultry producer with operations across Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas.

Recent military escalation has created uncertainty across global energy markets, shipping routes, and commodity supply chains. While markets currently anticipate a contained conflict, the situation remains fluid and could have broader consequences if disruptions to energy exports, fertiliser trade, or maritime transport routes persist or intensify.

Chickens are one of the most widely domesticated animals in the world, providing eggs, meat, and companionship to people across the globe. The U.S. poultry industry plays a significant role in food production, supporting farmers and contributing to the economy. These fascinating facts will give you a deeper appreciation of chickens, their unique characteristics, and their impact on agriculture.

Consistency, digestibility and energy advantages of U.S. Soy translate into better growth, feed efficiency and flock uniformity.

The U.S. broiler industry enters 2026 on solid footing, supported by strong consumer demand and favorable economics — but persistent hatching problems, rising construction costs, and a shifting export landscape are tempering what might otherwise be an aggressive expansion cycle, Christine McCracken, executive director and protein analyst at Rabobank, said at the 2026 Annual Meat Conference. 

A fourth-generation, family-owned company, House of Raeford Farms Inc. is a vertically integrated chicken producer headquartered in Rose Hill, North Carolina. Founded in 1925 as a family farming operation and incorporated as House of Raeford in 1975, the company has grown into a major U.S. broiler producer serving North America. It exited the turkey business in 2013 and today focuses exclusively on chicken.

In January–February 2026, Uzbekistan imported meat products with a total value of $156.9 million, which is almost twice the figure for the same period in 2025, when imports amounted to $89.2 million. This is according to data from the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan.

We invite you to meet U.S. poultry producers and suppliers at the UzFood 2026 International Food Exhibition, which will take place April 1–3 in Tashkent. Industry representatives will be pleased to discuss cooperation opportunities, present their products, and connect with food industry professionals. The USAPEEC booth will be located at G80–G86, pavilion A in NEZ Uzexpocentre.

Founded in 1985 as a one-room chicken deboning and cutting operation with just 13 employees, Koch Foods Inc. has grown into one of the largest vertically integrated poultry processors in the United States. Headquartered in Park Ridge, Illinois, the company now employs 14,000 people and operates across Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee.‍

Consumers often get mixed messages regarding some food industry terms. Some of these terms may appear on chicken labels. Here are the facts to help clear up any definition confusion.

A century ago, Americans would not recognise our modern hunger for chicken. The year-long market for tender but relatively bland chicken meat is a newish phenomenon, and without it the idea of chicken cutlets, $5 rotisseries, or the McNugget would be a fantasy.How did America go from thinking of chicken as an “alternative” meat to consuming it more than any other meat?

Chickens today are in fact bigger and grow faster! As the demand for chicken as a protein has increased, especially chicken parts like breasts or thighs versus whole birds, farmers have worked to create larger and healthier chickens to meet that demand.

With further processing advancements and genetic improvements, the industry is satisfying the customer demand for convenient poultry products.

As one of the world’s leading food companies, Tyson Foods, Inc. plays a central role in the global poultry industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company’s poultry division is primarily made up of its U.S. production operations, supported by an extensive international network of subsidiaries and joint ventures.

According to USDA Foreign Agricultural Service data, U.S. broiler exports in January–December 2025 declined modestly in volume, reflecting substantially lower shipments to China, Vietnam, HongKong, Mexico, Cuba, and Angola. However, strong growth in several emerging and value-driven markets helped cushion the overall decline and supported export revenues.

The reciprocal trade agreement between the U.S. and Indonesia which was signed on February 19th stands to have a positive impact on the prospects for poultry exports to one of the world’s largest markets. Indonesia will allow imports of U.S. chicken parts, including leg quarters, breasts, legs, and thighs.

Ever wondered where our feathered friends, the chickens, come from? In this blog post, we’ll dive into the origins of domesticated chickens, their evolution, and how they became our trusty backyard companions!

The U.S. broiler industry has kept pace with extraordinary growth in chicken consumption but is now facing supply and production challenges.

Chicken leg prices across Asia rose sharply in December, driven by tight supply in Japan and mixed conditions elsewhere.

Sanderson Farms is one of the largest fully integrated poultry producers in the United States. Founded in 1947 in Laurel, Mississippi, the company has grown from a small regional business into a major national supplier of fresh and frozen chicken products. Today, Sanderson Farms operates an extensive production network across the southeastern and south-central United States, supplying retail, foodservice, and export customers.

US domestic per capita availability of broiler meat reached a new all-time quarterly high during Q3 2025, climbing to 18.9 pounds on a boneless weight basis. The 3.5% year-on-year increase marked a significant milestone for the broiler market as production surged.

The money will be used to help expand U.S. poultry and egg exports. USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) has been awarded nearly $7 million by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) to help expand exports of U.S. poultry and eggs.

The United States is the world's largest producer and second largest exporter of poultry meat, and is a major egg producer. Poultry meat (broilers, other chicken, and turkey) accounted for 51 percent of total red meat and poultry disappearance in 2024. Also in 2024, 13.6 percent of poultry meat produced in the United States was exported. The U.S. poultry industry is influenced by currency fluctuations, trade negotiations, and international competition. The poultry and egg industries are also major consumers of feed grains.

The United States has long been a major player in the global poultry market, with broiler (chicken meat) exports representing a significant share of domestic production and serving key trading partners around the world.

Cobb-Vantress, an American poultry genetics company headquartered in the United States, is one of the world’s leading suppliers of broiler breeding stock, operating in more than 100 countries and serving producers that account for the majority of global broiler production. With a heritage of more than 100 years in poultry breeding and a strong focus on research, data-driven genetic progress, and global technical support, Cobb plays a central role in improving efficiency, productivity, and sustainability across the global poultry industry.

The U.S. Embassy in Tashkent hosted a seminar for importers in Uzbekistan on GSM 102 program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.‍The GSM-102 program provides credit guarantees to encourage financing of commercial exports of U.S. agricultural products to buyers in countries that have sufficient financial strength to have foreign exchange available for scheduled payments.

According to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. broiler exports in January–November 2025 declined modestly in volume, reflecting sharply lower shipments to China, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Mexico, Cuba, and Angola. These losses were partially offset by strong gains to several key growth markets, including Taiwan, the Philippines, Canada, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Ghana, Turkmenistan, Chile, and the United Arab Emirates.

The chicken industry in the United States is one of the most successful sectors in agriculture. In a little over 50 years, the U.S. broiler industry has evolved from fragmented, locally oriented businesses into a highly efficient, vertically integrated, progressive success story increasingly supplying customers nationwide and around the globe. The modern chicken industry produces nutritious, wholesome, high quality products that became more affordable year after year. Much of the success of the industry can be attributed to a more efficient structural organization, improved production and processing technologies, and a continuing responsibility to consumer demands. Outlined here are the important milestones that helped make the chicken industry the success it is today.

Tyson Foods reported that first-quarter of fiscal year 2026 was the fifth consecutive quarter for volume gains in its chicken segment. The Tyson Foods chicken segment generated $459 million in operating income at a 10.9% margin, while overall poultry volume increased 3.8% to reach an all-time Q1 record.

Global meat trade is expected to increase by 1% in 2026, though growth will vary across product categories. These figures are cited in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) December report.

For people in agriculture in Alabama, it is no secret that chicken/broiler farming and exporting are big in the state, with Alabama holding the number two spot in the U.S. for production and exports, according to the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association (AP&EA). The poultry industry in Alabama has more than a $15 billion impact on the state and represents 1/8th of Alabama’s economy, according to the AP&EA.

While New England is known for its chowder and Seattle its salmon tossing, when it comes to Super Bowl menus, nothing is hotter than wings. The National Chicken Council (NCC) today released its annual Chicken Wing Report, projecting Americans to eat 1.48 billion chicken wings watching the Patriots and Seahawks battle for the Lombardi Trophy. This figure represents an increase of about 10 million more wings than last year’s game.

Long before the days of chicken sandwich wars, wings, and sliced rotisserie, there was a time when few Americans actually ate chicken. Flashback to the early 1900s. On the flipside, rural Americans typically only ate chicken once an old hen stopped laying eggs—which generally tasted pretty dry and tough. Cecile Long Steele of Delaware is credited with pioneering the poultry industry in 1923— just over 100 years ago!

Pilgrim’s Pride plans to invest US$1.3 billion in its Mexican operations to help reduce the country’s chicken supply deficit and improve food security, according to Mexico’s Minister of Economy Marcelo Ebrard. The investment is expected to allow Mexico to replace 35% of its chicken imports with domestically produced poultry.

More than 20 USAPEEC member companies are waiting to welcome you until January 30, 2026 at the Council’s stand in Hall 2 of the Sheikh Saeed Pavilion (Hall 2), blocks S2-A2, S2-A50, and B50 (location: https://usapeec-ca.com/event/gulfood-exhibition)

More than 20 USAPEEC member companies are waiting to welcome you until January 30, 2026 at the Council’s stand in Hall 2 of the Sheikh Saeed Pavilion (Hall 2), blocks S2-A2, S2-A50, and B50 (location: https://usapeec-ca.com/event/gulfood-exhibition)

The USDA-Economic Research Service released updated production and consumption data with respect to broilers and turkeys, covering 2024, a projection for 2025 and a forecast for 2026.

More than 20 USAPEEC member companies are waiting for you until January 30, 2026 at the Council’s stand in Hall 2 of the Sheikh Saeed Pavilion (Hall 2), blocks S2-A2, S2-A50, and B50 (location: https://usapeec-ca.com/event/gulfood-exhibition).

The outlook for the global poultry industry remains strong for 2026, with another year of robust growth of around 2.5%, following three consecutive years of approximately 3% growth globally.

The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans put a key emphasis on prioritizing high-quality, nutrient-dense protein foods, like chicken, as part of a healthy dietary pattern across all stages of life. The Guidelines also specifically recommend consuming a variety of protein foods from animal sources, including poultry.

According to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. total broiler exports in January-October 2025 were down in volume due in large to decreased shipments to China, Vietnam, Mexico, Iraq, and Hong Kong, but broiler shipments to other export markets such as Taiwan, Philippines, Canada, Congo (Kinshasa), Haiti, Turkmenistan, Ghana, South Korea, Timor-Leste, Benin, Dominican Republic, Libya, and Chile registered tremendous gains over the same period a year earlier.

Globex International is a global food supply company established in 1993 in New York, USA. Today, Globex employs over 80 people worldwide and operates offices in the United States (New York and Atlanta), Brazil, China, Colombia, Latvia, Mexico, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and Thailand.

Historically, chicken has been cheaper than other animal proteins such as beef and pork. Although inflation since 2021 has driven prices of popular chicken cuts like boneless skinless breast meat, tenderloins, and wings above $3.00 per pound at times, bone-in dark meat continues to offer a relative value advantage.

Mountaire Farms Inc. is a family-owned vertically integrated poultry company founded in 1914. Its manufacturing facilities are in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina and Arkansas, and its products are sold under the Mountaire brand in regional, national and international markets. The company employs 10,243 people; in 2025, Forbes magazine named Mountaire Farms one of America's best employers.

Despite regional differences, low feed costs and strong consumer demand are supporting global poultry markets heading into 2026. According to Rabobank’s Poultry Quarterly Report global growth in 2025 has been revised up from 2.6% to 2.8%, with most markets remaining profitable despite challenges such as HPAI and trade disruptions.

The Government of Kazakhstan has published a list of poultry meat import quota allocations Phase 1 2026.

A 23-year-old Zoe Rosenberg, an animal rights activist with the extremist group Direct Action Everywhere, has been sentenced to 90 days in jail, found guilty of four charges — including a felony count of conspiracy and three misdemeanor counts of trespassing and tampering with a vehicle.