For quite some time, chicken has been a default choice as consumers seek out nutrition, convenience and value. The US broiler industry is hitting those marks in stride with consumer-friendly prices and new innovative offerings ready for quick-and- easy appliances like air fryers, according to the most recent quarterly report from CoBank. 

The latest BLS data showed the price for boneless chicken breast averaged $4.12 during May, down about 3% YoY, and down 13% from the highs in 2022. Featuring activity for chicken is showing the consumer even more value. Value pack fresh boneless breast feature activity is back to pre-pandemic (2019) levels. Prices are still up about 21% from 2019, but actually 5% lower than a decade ago.

Dampened feed costs for chicken should continue to drive consumer savings, but that will be for the market to figure out, and the transition will take time. For now, inventory levels on key items do not appear to be overly burdensome. Cold storage levels for breast meat are at the lowest levels since the end of 2022, down about 8% YoY and

11% lower than at the new year. Prices at the wholesale level for most key broiler items including wings have been firming.

Pullet placements are up 1.2% so far in 2024, following a 4.5% increase in 2023,
so integrated processors are actively adding to flocks (Exhibit 4). However, disease and genetic issues remain an ongoing limitation to achieving productivity and livability levels in recent years. USDA forecast for broiler meat production growth is modest, up 1% YoY. The additional pounds produced remains easily absorbed in current market conditions.