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:
      2004: $43 billion
      2005: $44 billion
      2006: $41 billion
      2007: $43 billion
      2008: $44 billion
  This estimate is domestic retail weight consumption multiplied by the retail composite price.
  
  
• 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
  Data are reported annually in the NASS Poultry-Production and Value report (May).

• U.S. broiler production:
      2004: 34.1 billion pounds (federally inspected)
      2005: 35.4 billion pounds
      2006: 35.5 billion pounds
      2007: 36.2 billion pounds
      2008: 36.9 billion pounds
  Data are reported in the monthly WASDE report.

• 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: 5.9 billion pounds, valued at $2.7 billion
      2008: 7.0 billion pounds, valued at $3.5 billion
  Data are reported in the monthly WASDE report.

• U.S. broiler exports as percent of production:
      2004: 14 percent
      2005: 15 percent
      2006: 15 percent
      2007: 16 percent
      2008: 19 percent
  This is broiler exports divided by broiler production.

• 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)
  Data are reported annually in NASS Poultry-Production and Value report (May).
  

U.S. Broiler Prices

• Retail price for broiler products (composite):   
     2004 average: $1.728 per pound
     2005 average: $1.741 per pound
     2006 average: $1.571 per pound
     2007 average: $1.651 per pound
     2008 average: $1.747 per pound
  Series is reported monthly in Meat Price Spreads table on the ERS website.

• Wholesale price for broiler products (composite):  
     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
     2008 average: 71.1 cents per pound
  Series is reported monthly in Meat Price Spreads table on the ERS website.

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