The nation's poultry industry experienced a downturn at the beginning of 2026, with January production falling 3% compared to the same month last year. Federal data shows both chicken and turkey production declined due to slower processing speeds and lighter bird weights.
The nation’s poultry industry started 2026 on a slower note, with January production numbers showing a notable decline from the previous year’s levels.
According to federal agriculture officials, processors certified 4.49 billion pounds of wholesome poultry during the month, marking a 3% drop compared to January 2025. The decrease stems from reduced processing speeds combined with birds maintaining steady to lighter average weights across the industry.
Chicken production bore the brunt of the decline, falling 3% to reach 4.081 billion pounds for the month. Turkey processing also experienced setbacks, dropping 4% to 398.607 million pounds during the same period.
The production slowdown reflects broader challenges facing poultry processors as they navigate operational adjustments in the new year.
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