Mia Patel
Chicken production in the United States is a significant part of the country's agriculture sector, with the US becoming the world's largest producer of chicken meat in 2021. Chicken is a major component of the US diet, with Americans consuming more chicken than anyone else in the world – more than 93.5 pounds per capita in 2018. The US chicken industry is primarily focused on broiler chickens, which are raised for their meat, while egg-laying hens are a separate segment of the poultry industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of chickens in the US | 518 million |
| Top chicken-producing states | Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Mississippi |
| Number of federally inspected chicken processing plants | 2,979 |
| US chicken meat production | 20.4 million metric tonnes |
| US chicken meat exports | 17% |
| US chicken consumption per capita | 93.5 pounds |
| Chicken as a percentage of total poultry sector sales | 67% |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken meat exports
Chicken is the number one protein consumed in the United States, with Americans eating more chicken than anyone else in the world—over 93.5 pounds per capita in 2018. The United States is the world's largest producer of chicken meat, with around 20.4 million metric tons of broiler meat produced in 2021. The country also has the largest broiler chicken industry in the world, exporting about 17% of its production to other countries in 2018, second only to Brazil.
Mexico is the top market for U.S. poultry meat exports, with demand continuing an upward trajectory despite high prices and economic challenges. Other important markets for U.S. chicken meat exports include developing countries such as Cuba, Guatemala, Angola, Colombia, and Haiti, where consumers favor chicken as a relatively low-cost animal protein. China is also a significant market for U.S. poultry exports, particularly for chicken paws, a product with virtually no other significant market.
The U.S. poultry industry faces competition from Brazil, the world's leading exporter, and encounters market access issues in certain countries due to non-tariff barriers and purported sanitary concerns. However, the industry is expected to benefit from long-term growth driven by a growing world population and rising incomes, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Tyson Foods is the dominant player in the U.S. chicken market, with sales of over 42 billion dollars.
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Leading chicken-producing states
The United States is the largest poultry-producing country in the world, with the poultry sector recording sales of $76.9 billion in 2022. The US chicken industry primarily focuses on broiler chickens, which are raised for their meat. The leading chicken-producing states include Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Mississippi. These states have favorable climate conditions, expansive agricultural land, and well-established poultry industries.
Georgia is the top chicken-producing state in the US. It is home to major chicken producers like Tyson Foods and Pilgrim's Pride. The state's favorable climate and ample land make it ideal for poultry farming. Alabama is the second-largest producer of chicken in the US. The poultry industry in Alabama is known for its large-scale broiler production and various processing plants. The state produces over 6 million pounds of chicken.
Arkansas is the third-largest chicken-producing state, with a long history of poultry farming. Many farmers in Arkansas raise chickens for meat production. North Carolina is also a leading chicken-producing state, primarily known for its broiler chicken production. The state has a robust agricultural base and favorable conditions for poultry farming.
Mississippi is another state with a significant poultry industry, focusing on broiler production. The state has favorable environmental conditions and a well-established network of processing plants. Other top chicken-producing states include South Carolina, Kentucky, and Missouri. These states have thriving poultry industries and contribute significantly to the overall chicken supply in the United States.
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Chicken consumption
The United States has the largest broiler chicken industry in the world, with about 17% of production exported to other countries in 2018. The top five broiler-producing states are Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, North Carolina, and Mississippi. Alabama is the top chicken-producing state, with over 6 million pounds of production. Broiler chickens, the primary source of US chicken meat, accounted for an average of 67% of total poultry sector sales from 2013 to 2022. Chicken eggs made up about 22% of sales, while turkeys accounted for the remaining 11%.
The poultry sector recorded sales of $76.9 billion in 2022, a 67% increase from the previous year. Broiler sales rose by 60%, turkey sales by 21%, and egg sales by 122%. Chicken breast is the number one selling chicken type in the US, constituting over 60% of product sales. The vast majority of chicken is sold in retail (supermarkets and other outlets) or foodservice (restaurants).
The size of the global poultry market is projected to increase, with a CAGR of 8.9%. The price of chicken has increased significantly in recent years due to the rising cost of food to grow chickens and supply chain issues. Despite the price increase, chicken remains a popular choice for consumers due to its affordability compared to other meats.
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Chicken sales
The US has the largest broiler chicken industry in the world, with about 17% of production exported in 2018. Broiler chickens, the primary source of US chicken meat, accounted for an impressive 67% of total poultry sector sales from 2013 to 2022. Chicken eggs made up about 22% of sales, while turkeys contributed the remaining 11%. Chicken breast is the top-selling chicken type in the US, with over 60% of product sales falling into this category.
The top five broiler-producing states are Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, North Carolina, and Mississippi. Alabama leads the way in total chicken production, generating over 6 million pounds. Arkansas and Delaware are the second and third largest producers, respectively. In 2020, the US had an inventory of approximately 518 million chickens, with an expected slow growth in per capita poultry consumption in the coming years, reaching over 117 pounds per person by 2030.
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Chicken production
The top chicken-producing states include Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Mississippi. These states benefit from favourable climate conditions, extensive agricultural land, and well-established poultry industries. In 2020, there were approximately 518 million chickens in the US, with Alabama being the top producer, yielding over 6 million pounds of chicken.
Chicken farming has distinct advantages over other livestock, requiring relatively little space and minimal initial investment to thrive. Americans consume more chicken than anyone else globally, with per capita consumption expected to surpass 117 pounds per person by 2030. The US is the world's largest producer of chicken meat, exporting about 17% of its production to other countries in 2018, making it the second-leading broiler exporter after Brazil.
The poultry sector recorded sales of $76.9 billion in 2022, a 67% increase from the previous year. Broiler sales rose by 60%, turkey sales by 21%, and egg sales by 122%. Chicken breast is the top-selling chicken type in the US, constituting over 60% of product sales. The US exports an average of 565,000 lbs of turkey products annually, with Mexico being the top destination.
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Frequently asked questions
The US is the largest producer of chicken meat in the world, with 20.4 million metric tonnes of broiler meat produced in 2021. This accounts for roughly 17% of production exported to other countries.
In 2020, there were approximately 518 million chickens in the US.
Alabama is the top chicken-producing state, with Georgia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Mississippi also being leading producers.
The poultry sector recorded sales of $76.9 billion in 2022, a 67% increase from 2021. Chicken sales increased by 4.7% in 2021, with chicken breasts being the number one selling type.
