The poultry industry underwent a nuanced transformation in 2023, as reflected in the latest findings from the USDA Chicken and Eggs 2023 report.
In a year marked by subtle shifts, the landscape of egg production remained relatively stable, with a marginal fluctuation in output. Despite a 1% increase in the number of layers, there was a corresponding 1% decrease in average production per layer, resulting in a nearly unchanged total national egg production of 110 billion eggs.
States across the country witnessed divergent trends in chicken and egg production, with some experiencing growth while others faced contraction.
Colorado emerged as an unexpected leader in chicken inventory expansion, boasting a remarkable 50% surge over the past year. Meanwhile, Wisconsin followed suit with a notable 19.8% increase in chicken inventory. Ohio and North Carolina also recorded modest gains, with 8% and 5% upticks, respectively.
Conversely, California and Minnesota found themselves grappling with a decline in chicken inventory. California saw a notable reduction of 14.5%, while Minnesota experienced a more significant drop of 17.6% by the close of 2023.
Source: USDA Chicken and Eggs 2023 summary.
