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Who Gets the Credit for Taming the Wild Jungle Fowl?

Affordability, versatility and clean-label credibility give chicken an edge during this protein moment, but overprocessing and under-marketing could squander it.

By Terrence O’Keefe, WATT Poultry USA

Prices demonstrate resilience despite a turnaround in production.

U.S. turkey exports for the first five months of this year set a record in value, and egg and broiler exports posted gains in volume from the same period a year earlier, according to new trade data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

A new AI- and proteomics-based tool could improve disease surveillance accuracy on poultry farms Researchers at the University of California are developing an innovative early detection system for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) that combines protein analysis (proteomics) with artificial intelligence. The project has received a US$1.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS).

Sales of meat snacks have grown by over 45% in the past four years to $4.4 billion.

Gene editing and artificial intelligence are reshaping poultry production in 2026, with CRISPR-based disease resistance and AI-driven flock management emerging as critical tools against avian influenza and industry challenges.

Dairy prices fall for eleventh straight month

Ahead of Independence Day on July 4, ​a major holiday for grilling, the Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute estimated the cost of a summer barbecue for 10 people will rise ​by 2.4% from last year to $161, with hamburger beef up 14%, according to a Reuters report.

Shifting consumer priorities about health and nutrition could directly affect consumer behavior when it comes to food.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — In an increasingly competitive world, nations are placing renewed importance on food production as a source of economic strength and national power. With global population projected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, American agriculture’s ability to produce protein efficiently, affordably, and at scale is a tremendous source of economic and geopolitical strength for the United States.

Global poultry market growth continues, but rising oversupply, trade shifts, and cost pressures will demand tighter market discipline.

In June, commodity prices stabilized or even declined, ending the rise recorded in May. Production estimates are now expected to change little, calming the volatility of recent weeks.

The omni-channel "Chicken and Sports Just Go Together" campaign — spanning TV, digital, social, stadium signage and fan experiences – drove measurable gains for the company.

Half of the chain’s 14 new menu items include chicken. Ruby Tuesday has unveiled 14 new limited-time summer menu items, and chicken is at the center of the lineup.

More than 44,000 people participated in the survey. Americans were asked to name their favorite quick service restaurant to eat chicken, and more than a quarter of those surveyed chose Chick-fil-A.

A new study coauthored by IIFH-affiliated faculty members Edward (Ned) Spang and Ilias Tagkopoulos, along with IIFH Research Program Manager Mariana Barboza Gardner, published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, examines the environmental impacts of global broiler chicken production through a comprehensive review of life cycle assessment (LCA) studies.

The U.S. is enhancing poultry biosecurity through new standards, assessments, and training to help prevent HPAI and other diseases.

U.S. turkey exports for the first four months of 2026 set a record in value and egg exports posted a gain in volume, but broiler exports decreased from the same period a year earlier, according to new trade data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

Researchers at South Dakota State University's Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory have developed both live and killed vaccine candidates for avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) subtype B, a respiratory virus that has severely hampered US poultry production, the university announced.

New boneless platforms, a 20-plus-item sauce pantry and immersive restaurant formats signal where global QSR chicken demand is heading.

Expansion will increase harvesting and portioning capacity; Chattanooga harvesting operations to close, affecting 348 employees.

Sustell® and PoultryPlan's partnership aims to help producers utilize carbon footprint measurements to make better decisions for their operations.

Output expected to grow for 15th consecutive year in 2027Output expected to grow for 15th consecutive year in 2027.

The broiler sector could face a prolonged period of economic pressure as fallout from the war in Iran filters through feed costs and fuel prices. The effects of the conflict are unlikely to resolve quickly, with the biggest impacts on fertilizer-linked feed costs expected to materialize in 2027 and beyond, said Christine McCracken, executive director of animal proteins at Rabobank. Combined with persistently high fuel prices squeezing both operators and consumers, the industry should prepare for headwinds that will outlast the immediate news cycle, she warned.

Fast food giants bet on fried chicken's appeal to urban consumers.

WASHINGTON — In its efforts to expand poultry and other agricultural markets for American farmers into more nations, the USDA has announced its most recent export trade undertaking to Argentina and Ecuador as another Trade Reciprocity for U.S. Manufacturers and Producers (TRUMP) Mission.

An obscure poultry scientist from Iowa named Howard Pierce did more to change our daily eating habits—for good and ill—than perhaps any single person in human history. Because of Pierce, chicken is now the American meat of choice: Today, we each eat more than 80 pounds of chicken every year. That is four times as much as we did in 1950, when chicken was a distant third behind beef and pork. How that dramatic switch took place is one of the great but largely forgotten origin tales of American cuisine.

Government institutions and business circles from Turkmenistan and the United States take part in a Turkmenistan–US business forum held in Ashgabat at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, according to Turkmenistan’s official news portal reported on Thursday.

We’re spotlighting the sustainability story of Heather and Mike Lewis, poultry and crop farmers who run a 100 acre farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. On their family farm, Heather and Mike grow corn, wheat, beans, and enough chicken to feed over one million people a year! They are super busy, but they still make time to focus on running an environmentally conscious and sustainable operation.

Since 1992, chicken has claimed the top consumption spot in the American protein kingdom, and consumers aren’t looking back anytime soon. When chicken first became our nation’s favorite protein over 30 years ago, the average American dined on 66.5 pounds of chicken per year. Chicken consumption has steadily gained momentum—almost annually—and in 2023, the average American ate an estimated 101.7 pounds of chicken! What’s more, national chicken consumption is projected to jump even higher in 2024!

For the first time, USAPEEC Central Asia featured a booth at the AgroPack 2026 exhibition, the largest food industry event in Turkmenistan. This year the show hosted approximately 100 exhibitors from 12 countries. The exhibition receives strong support from the Turkmen government, particularly from the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Economy.

Explore how shifting protein demand, emerging consumer preferences, and supply chain volatility are reshaping the global poultry trade. Discover the latest proteindriven market trends shaping production, pricing, and longterm resilience.

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.