This report is constrained by the aftermath of the October Federal Shutdown with respect to USDA data. Updated export figures have not been released as of Decenmber30th.
Broiler Chick Placements November-December 2025.
According to the December 17th 2025 USDA Broiler Hatchery Report, 1,254 million eggs were set over five weeks extending from November 15th 2025 through December 20th 2025 inclusive. This was approximately one percent higher compared to the corresponding period in 2024.
Total chick placements for the U.S. over the five-week period amounted to 965.3 million chicks. Claimed hatchability for the period averaged 79.9 percent for eggs set three weeks earlier. Each 1.0 percent change in hatchability represents approximately 1.93 million chicks placed per week and 1.83 million broilers processed, assuming five percent culls and mortality and within the current range of weekly settings.
Cumulative chick placements for the period January 7th through December 30th 2024 amounted to 9.67 billion chicks. For January 4th through December 13th 2025 chick placements attained 9.60 billion, up one percent from the corresponding value in 2024.
According to the December 19th 2025 edition of USDA Chickens and Eggs, pullet breeder chicks hatched and intended for U.S. placement during November 2025 amounted to 8.08 million, down 2.2 percent (0.19 million pullet chicks) from November 2024 and 3.7 percent (288,000 pullet chicks) more than the previous month of October 2025. Broiler breeder hen complement attained 59.82 million in November 2025, 1.6 percent (1.00 million hens) down from December 2024 and 1.7 percent (988,000 hens) higher than October 2025.
Broiler Production December 2025
As documented in the December 25th 2025 USDA Weekly Poultry Slaughter Reports for the processing week ending December 20th 2025, 175.0 million broilers were processed at 6.55 lbs. live. This was 2.9 percent more than the 170.1 million processed during the corresponding week in December 2024. Broilers processed in 2025 to date amounted to 8,553 million, 2.2 percent more than for the corresponding period in 2024.
Ready to cook (RTC) weight for the most recent week in December was 876.2 million lbs. (398,272 metric tons). This was 3.5 percent more than the 846.8 million lbs. during the corresponding week in December 2024. Dressing percentage was a nominal 76.0 percent. For 2025 to date RTC broiler production attained 42,894 million lbs. (19,497 million metric tons). This quantity was 3.5 percent more than for the corresponding period in 2024.
The USDA posted live-weight data for the past week ending December 20th and YTD 2025 including:-
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Live Weight Range (lbs.)
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<4.25
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4.26-6.25
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6.26-7.25
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>7.76
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Proportion past week (%)
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16
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30
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27
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27
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Change from 2020 YTD (%)
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-7
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+1
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+2
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+9
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November 2025 Frozen Inventory
According to the December 23rd 2025 USDA Cold Storage Report, the first to be released after the Federal shutdown, stocks of broiler products as of November 30th 2025 compared to November 30th 2024 showed differences with respect to the following categories:-
- Total Chicken category attained 814.9 million lbs. (370.4 thousand metric tons) corresponding to approximately one week of production based on recent weekly RTC output. The November 2025 inventory was up 0.7 percent compared to 809,039 million lbs. (368.8 thousand metric tons) on November 30th 2024 and up 0.4 percent from the previous month of October 2025.
- LegQuarters were down 16.0 percent to 55.6 million lbs. compared to November 30th 2024 consistent with the data on exports. Inventory was up 2.0 percent from July 31st Given the trend in inventory of leg quarters it is evident that this category continues to be shipped in varying quantities as the principal (96 percent) chicken export product to a number of nations.
- The Breasts and Breast Meat category was up 2.8 percent from November 30th 2024 to 242.1 million lbs. indicating a relatively lower domestic consumer demand for this category despite concern over inflation in the cost of alternative proteins. The November 30th 2025 stock level was 2.1 percent higher than October 31st The trend through the first eleven months of 2025 suggests stable but low retail and food service demand for the white meat category. This is despite promotion of chicken sandwiches and wraps by QSRs in the face of a higher cost for beef coupled with an increasing pattern of eat-at-home consumption.
- Total inventory of dark meat (drumsticks legs, thighs and thigh quarters but excluding leg quarters) on November 30th 2025 decreased 3.6 percent from November 30th 2024 to 65.9 million lbs. This difference suggests an increase in domestic demand for lower-priced dark meat against the prevailing price of white chicken meat. Higher prices for competitive proteins offer an opportunity to increase domestic demand for this category with innovative product development and promotion.
- Wings showed a 3.8 percent decrease from November 30th 2024, contributing to a stock of 57.1 million lbs. Inventory of wings was 5.2 percent lower compared to the end of October 2025. Movement in stock over the past 12 months has demonstrated slightly higher demand for this category despite competition from “boneless wings.” Increased consumption traditionally associated with significant sports events including the College and Super Bowls reduced the volumes of storage in January and February 2025. The progressive increase in unit price during 2024 plateaued in 2025 due to consumer fatigue and competition from competing protein snacks despite continued interest in professional and collegiate football.
- The inventory of Paws and Feet was 15.8 percent lower than on November 30th 2024 to 27.6 million lbs. Stock was 3.0 percent higher than on October 31st Prior to the April 2020 Phase-1 Trade Agreement approximately half of the shipments of paws and feet destined for Hong Kong were landed and transshipped to the Mainland, a trend that is re-emerging.
- The Other category comprising 345.0 million lbs. on November 30th 2025 was up 4.1 percent from November 30th 2024 but represented a substantial 42.3 percent of inventory. The high proportion of the Other category suggests further classification or re-allocation by USDA to the designated major categories.
November 2025 Processed Broiler Production
The delayed monthly USDA Poultry Slaughter Report was released on December 5th 2025 covering October 2025, with the NASS having skipped September due to the Federal shutdown in October. The month comprised 23 working days, the same as November 2024. The following values were documented for the month of October:-
- A total of 870.1 million broilers were processed in October 2025, up 8.4 million or 1.0 percent from August 2024;
- Total live weight in August 2025 was 5,304 million lbs., down 38.7 million lbs. or 0.7 percent from October 2024;
- Unit live weight in October 2025 was 6.72 lbs., up 0.02lb. (0.3 percent) from October 2024.
- RTC in October 2025 attained 4,426 million lbs., up 55.9 million lbs. or 1.3 percent from October 2004.
- WOG yield in October 2025 was 75.7 percent, down from 75.8 percent in October 2024.
- The proportion marketed as chilled in October 2025 comprised 92.9 percent of RTC output compared to 93.3 percent in October 2024.
- Ante-mortem condemnation as a proportion of live weight attained 0.19 percent during October 2025 down from 0.17 percent in October 2024.
- Post-mortem condemnations as a proportion of processed mass corresponded to 0.41 percent during October 2025 compared to 0.44 percent in October 2024.
Comments
Mexico has recognized the OIE principle of regionalization after intensive negotiations between SENASICA and the U.S. counterpart, USDA-APHIS assisted by USAPEEC. Provided importing nations adhere to OIE guidelines on regionalization, localized outbreaks of avian influenza or possibly Newcastle disease will affect exports only from states or counties with outbreaks in commercial flocks. The response of China, Japan and some other nations is less predictable with bans placed on a nationwide or statewide basis. The response by China to outbreaks is influenced more by self-interest than considerations of scientific fact or international trade obligations. Other importing nations have confined restrictions to counties following the WOAH principle of regionalization. The challenge facing the U.S. as the second largest exporting nation after Brazil, will be to gain acceptance for controlled vaccination against HPAI in specific industry sectors and regions with appropriate surveillance and certification to the satisfaction of importing nations.
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