Sophie Bennett
Chicken is the most popular meat in the US, with over 102 pounds consumed per person per year. The US is the world's largest producer of chicken meat, with the industry generating $70.2 billion in sales in 2024. The US exports chicken to over 150 countries, with Mexico being the largest foreign market for US chicken meat. The US's production of broiler chickens was worth $23.2 billion in 2023. The top chicken-producing states include Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Mississippi. The largest poultry company in the US is Cargill Meat Solutions, with $165 billion in sales and a market share of 22%.
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What You'll Learn
Leading chicken-producing states
Chicken production in the United States is a significant part of the country's agriculture sector, with several states contributing to the overall production levels. The leading chicken-producing states include Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Mississippi. These states benefit from a combination of favourable climate conditions, expansive agricultural land, and well-established poultry industries, enabling them to supply substantial amounts of chicken for domestic consumption and export.
Georgia is the largest producer among these states and has been the top state in the country for chicken meat since 1951. The state contributes 1.3 billion chickens ("broilers") to the American poultry market. The broiler industry in Georgia has benefited from the efforts of organisations like the Georgia Poultry Improvement Association and the National Poultry Improvement Plan, which support farmers and control diseases among flocks. Additionally, Georgia Tech has played a crucial role in advancing the poultry industry in the state through technological innovations.
Alabama is the second-largest producer of chicken in the United States. This state has a significant number of chicken processing plants and favourable conditions for poultry farming. Arkansas, the third-largest producer, and other states in the top five also contribute significantly to the country's chicken production.
The US poultry industry has a substantial impact on both international and domestic meat markets. It is supported by efficient production systems, advanced genetics, abundant feed resources, and strong consumer demand. Broiler chickens, raised specifically for their meat, constitute the primary source of US chicken meat, with egg-laying hens being a separate segment of the industry. The US exports chicken to more than 150 nations, with Mexico, Canada, Cuba, and Guatemala being significant recipients of US chicken exports.
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Largest poultry companies
Chicken is the most consumed meat in the US, with over 102 pounds of poultry eaten per person per year. The US is the top producer of chicken meat in the world, with nearly 19,600 kilotons produced. The state of Georgia is the largest producer of chickens in the US, contributing 1.3 billion chickens to the American poultry market. The broiler industry in Georgia began in the early 20th century when farmers in the northern part of the state started raising chickens for meat sales.
The largest poultry company in the US is Cargill Meat Solutions, with $165 billion in sales and a market share of 22%. The US poultry industry has a market size of $57.8 billion, and Americans consume over 8 billion chickens per year. Here is a list of the top 10 chicken producers in the US:
- Tyson Foods, Inc ($1.12 billion): With a 25% market share, Tyson Foods is the biggest chicken producer in the US, manufacturing a variety of poultry products, including duck, turkey, and chicken.
- Pilgrim's Pride Corporation ($900 million): Pilgrim's Pride has over 20% of the US chicken market and is the second-largest producer. They produce a range of poultry items and are particularly known for their chicken.
- Sanderson Farms, Inc. ($360 million): Sanderson Farms has a market share of approximately 8% and is the third-largest chicken producer in the country.
- Perdue Farms ($315 million): Perdue Farms has a 7% market share and is a leading chicken producer. While chicken is their main product, they also offer other poultry items.
- Foster Farms ($180 million): With a roughly 4% market share, Foster Farms is the fifth-largest chicken producer. They produce other poultry products, but chicken is their primary product.
- Koch Foods ($180 million): Koch Foods has a 4% share of the global chicken market. They sell both raw poultry products and ready-made fresh and frozen foods for consumers and large restaurant customers.
- Mountaire Farms ($90 million): Mountaire Farms has a 2% market share and is the seventh-largest chicken producer.
- House of Raeford Farms, Inc. ($89 million): House of Raeford Farms holds a market share of about 2% and is the ninth-largest chicken producer.
- Bell & Evans ($45 million): With a 1% global market share, Bell & Evans operates as a chicken producer in the USA, selling chicken meat to over 150 nations worldwide.
- OSI: OSI is an international corporation with locations in 35 countries and over 65 facilities. They produce various meats, including poultry, beef, and pork.
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Chicken exports
Chicken is the most popular meat in the US, with over 102 pounds of poultry consumed per person per year. The US is the world's top producer of chicken meat, with nearly 19,600 kilotons produced annually. The state of Georgia is the largest producer of chicken meat in the US, contributing 1.3 billion chickens to the market. The broiler industry in Georgia began in the early 20th century when farmers in the northern part of the state started raising chickens for meat sales. By the 1930s, the industry had taken off, with half a million chickens raised. The University of Georgia's Poultry Science department, established in 1912, has also played a crucial role in the state's poultry industry by training scientists, researchers, and businesspeople.
The US exports chicken to more than 150 countries worldwide. Mexico is the largest market for US poultry meat, with other significant markets including Canada, Cuba, Guatemala, Angola, Colombia, and Haiti. China is also a significant importer of US poultry products, particularly chicken paws, which comprise the majority of poultry shipments to the country. The US is the second-largest exporter of poultry meat globally, after Brazil. However, the domestic demand for chicken breasts and market access issues in some countries limit the growth of US chicken exports.
The US poultry industry is worth $57.8 billion, with the largest poultry company being Cargill Meat Solutions, boasting $165 billion in sales and a 22% market share. Other major poultry producers in the US include Tyson Foods, Inc., Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, Sanderson Farms, Inc., Perdue Farms, Koch Foods, and Mountaire Farms. These companies produce and sell a variety of raw and processed poultry products, supplying to both domestic and international markets.
The US chicken and egg business is a significant employer, with over 590,000 people hired in 2019. The USDA has also invested in the industry, opening a poultry research facility in Athens, Georgia, in 2022 to aid in disease prevention and food safety. The US exported $900.1 million worth of fresh chicken and $3.6 billion worth of frozen chicken in 2023.
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Chicken production growth
Chicken production in the United States has grown significantly over the years, with the country becoming the world's largest producer of chicken meat. In 2021, the United States produced approximately 20.4 million metric tons of broiler meat, surpassing other leading producers such as China and Brazil. This growth in chicken production can be attributed to various factors, including the establishment of the poultry industry in certain states, technological advancements, and increasing domestic and international demand.
Georgia is widely recognized as the top chicken-producing state in the country, a position it has held since 1951. The state contributes 1.3 billion chickens, known as "broilers," to the American poultry market. The history of broiler production in Georgia dates back to the early 20th century when farmers in the northern part of the state began raising chickens specifically for meat sales. Over time, the industry grew exponentially, with pioneers like Jesse Jewell, who integrated chicken farming and processing operations. Georgia Tech has also played a crucial role in advancing the poultry industry in the state, with innovations in plant sound reduction, improved skimmings, and mechanized poultry monitoring.
Other leading chicken-producing states include Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Mississippi. These states benefit from favorable climate conditions, vast agricultural land, and well-established poultry industries. Alabama, in particular, has been identified as the largest producer of chicken among these states, with a total output of over 6 million pounds.
The growth of the poultry industry in the United States has been supported by organizations such as the Georgia Poultry Improvement Association and the National Poultry Improvement Plan, which was founded in 1935 to aid farmers and control diseases among flocks. Additionally, the establishment of poultry science departments in universities, like the University of Georgia, has contributed to the development of the industry by training scientists, researchers, and businesspeople.
The United States exports chicken to more than 150 countries worldwide, with Mexico, Canada, Cuba, and Guatemala being significant markets for US chicken exports. The poultry sector in the US has also experienced remarkable sales growth, with the industry reaching $70.2 billion in sales in 2024, up from $67.4 billion in 2023. This growth is driven by increasing demand and the dominance of broiler chicken sales, which accounted for $45.4 billion in 2024.
Overall, the United States' chicken production growth has been characterized by the expansion of established poultry industries in key states, technological advancements, increasing domestic and international demand, and the development of supportive infrastructure and organizations. These factors have collectively contributed to the country's position as a leading producer and exporter of chicken meat in the global market.
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Chicken processing
The US produced approximately 8.9 billion broiler chickens in 2023, with Americans consuming over 8 billion chickens annually. The chicken and egg industry employed more than 590,000 people in 2019, making it a significant employer in the country. Chicken processing involves transforming poultry into packaged meats for consumers, and it plays a crucial role in ensuring the viability of the industry.
Various companies specialize in chicken processing, including Atlanta Poultry Processing, which offers USDA-inspected processing services for chickens, ducks, and whole birds, providing detailed reporting to help farmers make informed decisions. Koch Foods, which started as a small chicken processing company in 1973, has expanded to six states and caters to both raw poultry and ready-made food consumers. Perdue, a family-run company since 1920, is another prominent name in the industry, producing raw meat and ready-made products like chicken nuggets and grilled chicken.
The success of the chicken industry in the US can be attributed to efficient structural organization, improved production and processing technologies, and responsiveness to consumer demands. The industry has evolved from fragmented local businesses to a highly efficient, vertically integrated operation, supplying customers worldwide. Technological advancements, such as those contributed by Georgia Tech, have played a significant role in enhancing the poultry industry in the state of Georgia, which is the top chicken-producing state in the country.
The National Chicken Council (formerly the National Broiler Council) has also been instrumental in stimulating consumer demand and handling government relations and public affairs for the industry. Federal inspection of broilers became mandatory in 1959, and the council has driven initiatives for pathogen reduction and improved wholesomeness. The USDA's HAACP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) process control system program, implemented in 1998, further ensures quality control in large poultry slaughter establishments.
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Frequently asked questions
Alabama produces the most chicken in the US, with a total production of over 6 million pounds.
The largest poultry company in the US is Cargill Meat Solutions, with $165 billion in sales and a market share of 22%.
Georgia was the first state in the US to be the largest producer of chicken. In the early 20th century, farmers in the northern part of the state began raising chickens for meat sales. By the 1930s, Georgia was the number one state for chicken meat production, a position it held until at least the 1950s.
