U.S. Broiler Industry: Background Statistics and Information

Broilers (chickens under 13 weeks old) constitute virtually all commercial chicken production.

For the most current coverage of the livestock industry see the monthly newsletter Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.

Production and Trade

• Retail equivalent value of U.S. broiler industry:
      2003: $39 billion
      2004: $43 billion
      2005: $44 billion
      2006: $41 billion
      2007: $43 billion
  
  
• Farm cash receipts, broiler production:
      2003: $15.2 billion
      2004: $20.4 billion
      2005: $20.9 billion
      2006: $17.7 billion
      2007: $21.5 billion    
  
  
• U.S. broiler production:
      2004: 34.1 billion pounds (federally inspected)
      2005: 35.4 billion pounds
      2006: 35.5 billion pounds
      2007: 36.1 billion pounds
  
  
• U.S. broiler exports:
      2004: 4.8 billion pounds, valued at $1.7 billion
      2005: 5.2 billion pounds, valued at $2.1 billion
      2006: 5.2 billion pounds, valued at $1.8 billion
      2007: 5.8 billion pounds, valued at $2.7 billion
  
  
• U.S. broiler exports as percent of production:
      2004: 14 percent
      2005: 15 percent
      2006: 15 percent
      2007: 16 percent
  
  
• State broiler production, 2007:
      U.S. total—8.9 billion birds
      Top eight: GA—1.4 billion (16 percent)
                      AR—1.2 billion (13 percent)
                      AL—1.0 billion (11 percent)
                      MS—824 million (9 percent)
                      NC—781 million (9 percent)
                      TX—616 million (7 percent)
                      KY—305 million (3 percent)
                      MD—295 million (3 percent)
  

U.S. Broiler Prices

• Retail price for broiler products (composite):
     2003 average: $1.613 per pound
     2004 average: $1.728 per pound
     2005 average: $1.741 per pound
     2006 average: $1.571 per pound
     2007 average: $1.651 per pound
  
  
  
• Wholesale price for broiler products (composite):
     2003 average: 65.7 cents per pound
     2004 average: 76.7 cents per pound
     2005 average: 67.7 cents per pound
     2006 average: 56.2 cents per pound
     2007 average: 76.3 cents per pound

Want More Data and Information?

Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook
(includes current and forecast production, consumption, trade, and prices)

World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates

Poultry—Production and Value
(includes state breakdown of poultry sectors)

USDA facts and resources on avian influenza