US broiler meat production down in August

U.S. broiler meat production in August totaled 3.3 billion pounds, down 0.4 percent from August 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest report, attributed to a fall in the number of birds slaughtered.
The August slaughter, at 760 million, was down 0.9 percent from August 2011. However, the average liveweight at slaughter rose to 5.81 pounds, up 0.5 percent, which resulted in total liveweight at slaughter in August at 4.4 billion pounds, a decline of 0.4 percent from 2011 numbers. Total broiler meat production has been boosted by heavier average weights through six of the first eight months of 2012, and the year-to-date average weight has been 5.82 pounds, slightly higher (0.6 percent) than during the same period in 2011.
Broiler meat production in July and August was slightly lower than expected, and the production forecast for the third quarter was decreased by 25 million pounds to 9.28 billion pounds, a decline of 2.8 percent from the third quarter of 2011.
The most recent five-week average for the number of chicks being placed for growout is slightly higher (up 0.7 percent) from the average for the same period in 2011, according to the USDA. This small growth led to the broiler meat production forecast for fourth-quarter 2012 being lowered to 8.98 billion pounds, 1.3 percent higher than in fourth-quarter 2011. Average liveweight at slaughter in the fourth quarter is expected to be only slightly higher than that of the same time in 2011. Since approximately the beginning of August, the number of chicks placed had gradually been drawing closer to the level of 2011, and in the last several weeks it has moved higher.
In fourth-quarter 2012, the number of chicks placed for growout is expected to gradually move higher than in the same period in 2011. Broiler slaughter in the fourth quarter is expected to be based for the most part on the number of chicks placed for growout through the beginning of November.
U.S. broiler meat production for 2013 is expected to total 36.4 billion pounds, up 60 million pounds from the September estimate and just under 1 percent lower than the revised 2012 estimate. The upward revision for 2013 is the result of a slightly lower forecast for feed prices. While broiler integrators are expected to lower production in 2013, the amount and duration of the decrease will depend on improvements in the domestic economy, competing protein prices, and export demand.
For more information and statistics on U.S. poultry, see www.wattagnet.com/marketdata.html. 

US broiler meat production estimate up first quarter 2012

The U.S. broiler meat production estimate for the first quarter of 2012 was increased by 150 million pounds to 8.85 billion pounds, a decrease of 5 percent from a year earlier, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture report.
The revision is the result of January’s stronger-than-expected broiler meat production and an assumption that the slaughter trend will carry into February and March. Some of the production decrease is expected to come from a smaller number of birds slaughtered, but part of that decrease is expected to be offset by small gains in average weights at slaughter throughout the remainder of the first quarter and into the second. Based on the expectation of slightly higher weights, the meat production estimate for the second quarter was also increased and now is expected to total 9.05 billion pounds, according to the USDA.
Broiler meat production for January was reported at 3.09 billion pounds, down only 1 percent from 2011 numbers. The decrease was the result of small decline in the number of birds slaughtered and the average live weight at slaughter. The decline in the number of birds slaughtered was less than expected. The total number of birds slaughtered was 706 million, down 1 percent from January 2011, and the total liveweight of broilers at slaughter declined by 1 percent. The average liveweight at slaughter was 5.84 pounds, a decline of .01 pounds per bird (0.3 percent) from 2011.
For more information and statistics on poultry, see www.wattagnet.com/marketdata.html.  

Mexican broiler output begins recovery

Mexico’s 2010 broiler meat production is likely to rise slightly from 2009 to 2.79 million metric tons, but will not recover to the 2008 level of 2.85 million metric tons, according to a report by the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Challenges facing the Mexican poultry industry in 2010 include increased imports, a delayed economic recovery, and a federal investigation of possible monopolistic businesses practices.
Domestic consumption for 2010 is projected at 3.37 million metric tons, slightly higher than in 2009. Total broiler imports are expected to hit 545,000 metric tons in 2010, up from 521,000 in 2009 and 447,000 in 2008.
In order to allow more exports to the United States, the Mexican poultry industry is seeking recognition of exotic Newcastle disease-free status for at least six Mexican states.

Broiler production up a slim 1% in Q4

According to the Nov. 17 issue of USDA’s Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook, broiler production in the fourth quarter of 2009 is forecast to be up only 1% from the previous year.
Broiler production in fourth-quarter 2009 is forecast at 8.95 billion pounds, up only 1% from the previous year, but it's the first year-over-year increase in production after four consecutive quarterly declines. Broiler meat production is expected to increase only slightly in 2010, as the positive impact of generally lower prices for corn and soybean meal are expected to be partially offset by little growth in real disposable income and continued high unemployment.
Turkey production in fourth-quarter 2009 is expected to total 1.48 billion pounds, down 6.8% from the previous year.
Production in 2010 is forecast at 5.73 billion pounds, up 0.5 % from 2009. Wholesale prices for whole hen turkeys in the Eastern market in fourth-quarter 2009 are expected to be 81-83 cents per pound, down 5% to 7% from 2008.

Broiler companies show profits this year

The average U.S. broiler company returned to profitability in January 2009 and profits strengthened in February and March, said Dana Weatherford, vice president, Agri Stats.
Profits were hard to come by for broiler companies in the second half of 2008, Weatherford reported at USPOULTRY's Processor Workshop in Atlanta. The average company lost nearly $0.05 per pound in the second half of 2008, according to Agri Stats data.
Performance in the first three months of 2009 has seen marked improvement with Weatherford reporting "bottom line profits" for the average broiler company of $0.0078, $0.0148 and $0.0389 per pound in January, February and March 2009, respectively.
Weatherford said that with the reduction in the number of breeder pullets being placed it appeared that the industry's cutback in chick placements would continue below year before levels through 2009.
If broiler meat prices get a seasonal bump this summer, he said he expected broiler firms to remain profitable for the rest of the year.
If grain prices don’t jump up again and if U.S. chicken exports continue at a relatively strong pace, he said that 2010 could be a very good year for U.S. broiler companies.