The USDA forecasts a notable 2% growth in global chicken exports for 2025, breaking a two-year period of stagnant export levels. Expected to reach a historic 13.8 million tonnes, this increase will largely be driven by Brazil, which has strengthened its foothold in the global market, often at the expense of the United States and European Union. A range of factors—lower production costs, diverse product offerings, a strong export focus, and freedom from major poultry diseases—puts Brazil in a strong position to lead export expansion.

Disease management remains a critical factor. Brazil’s commercial poultry sector has managed to stay free from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a disease that has recently impacted the U.S. and EU markets. In Brazil, only wild birds and backyard animals have been affected by HPAI, so commercial poultry operations remain unaffected by trade restrictions. Thailand, another country on track for export growth, has also maintained its HPAI-free status in commercial flocks since 2009. In contrast, while recent U.S. and EU HPAI outbreaks have minimally affected production, they have led to export limitations in key markets, impacting growth potential.

Brazil’s competitive edge also lies in its cost structure. As a leading producer of corn and soybean meal, essential poultry feed ingredients, Brazil benefits from lower feed costs than other major exporters, including the United States. Additionally, Brazil’s labor costs are lower, which allows for competitive pricing, especially in labor-intensive products like deboned meat, a popular choice in many markets. In comparison, U.S. production costs remain high, with a significant portion of exports limited to frozen leg quarters, often bone-in, which meet fewer demands in international markets focused on variety and specific preparation standards.

Brazil’s adaptability in offering a diverse product range, including items such as whole birds, deboned and prepared meats, has enabled it to access new markets with specific needs. This level of product diversity has allowed Brazil to expand even as domestic demand increases for different poultry cuts. On the other hand, the U.S. poultry industry’s reliance on breast meat for the domestic market limits its flexibility in global exports, and various international markets have specific requirements, including religious slaughter practices, that create further challenges for U.S. suppliers.

The USDA projects a 2% increase in Brazilian chicken exports in 2025, translating to an additional 100,000 tonnes. Meanwhile, the U.S. is expected to see only a 1% rise, or 40,000 tonnes, as it navigates market constraints. Brazil’s strong positioning will support growth in countries such as Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the UAE, and the United Kingdom. Since most of these nations are not major markets for U.S. poultry, Brazil is poised to increase its market share and strengthen its lead as a global supplier.

French authorities have initiated a recall of approximately 3 million eggs over concerns of potential Salmonella Typhimurium contamination. So far, health agencies report eight possible cases linked to the contamination, though no one has been hospitalized.

The recall impacts eggs distributed by the company Ovalis and sold under multiple brand names, including Poitou Oeufs, Tout Frais tout Français, and Douce France. Major supermarket chains such as Carrefour, Auchan, and Leclerc, as well as the charitable food network Restos du Coeur, have been involved in distributing these eggs across France. Smaller batches affected include eggs under the private-label brands Carrefour Original, Leclerc Eco+, and eggs sold at Lidl France stores.

These eggs, available in packs of various sizes, were sold from September 29 through October 10, with a use-by date extending to October 31. Ovalis explained that although only a small portion of eggs may be contaminated, they were processed together with others at the packing facilities, prompting a large-scale recall to ensure consumer safety.

The health authorities recommend that consumers avoid eating or using the eggs and instead destroy them or return them to the store for a refund. Anyone who has consumed the eggs and experiences specific symptoms is advised to seek medical advice. To address concerns, a helpline has been established. Product safety officials are currently tracing the supply chain of the eggs, including the feed given to poultry, though no results have been published as of yet.

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Source: US Poultry & Egg Association

After nearly two years of egg shortages, Ukraine’s market is now facing an oversupply, according to Yevhen Khailov, Sales Director of Incuba, a major Ukrainian egg producer. Despite record-breaking export levels, Ukrainian farmers are grappling with an excess of eggs, with production now exceeding demand at over 100 million eggs per month.

The shift to surplus resulted from many Ukrainian farmers increasing their laying hen populations to combat past shortages. However, with poultry meat demand also saturated, farmers now face limited options for reducing flock sizes, Khailov explained. Additionally, frequent power outages are complicating production. Extended blackouts hinder slaughtering and meat storage, adding new layers of complexity for producers.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s egg exports surged during the first half of 2024, reaching 36,980 tonnes, up from 29,700 tonnes in the same period last year. This growth is attributed to the recovery of industrial egg farming, according to the Union of Poultry Farmers of Ukraine.

The increase in Ukrainian egg exports has created tension among European farmers, particularly in Latvia, where imports have quadrupled in recent years. Janis Gaigals, head of the Latvian Poultry Association, proposed adjusting import duties on Ukrainian eggs to balance production costs and prevent market distortion. Gaigals suggested that any duties collected could be redirected to support Ukraine’s economy.

Primary importers of Ukrainian eggs include Poland, Italy, Singapore, the UAE, and Israel, indicating high demand in both Europe and other global markets. However, domestic prices in Ukraine may rise as the country faces extended power cuts during the heating season. DTEK, Ukraine’s largest power generation company, predicts outages could last up to 20 hours per day due to damage to the energy infrastructure.

As Ukraine’s egg industry faces these challenges, the country may rely increasingly on exports to manage the oversupply, balancing local market pressures with international demand.

Researchers at the University of Chester are pioneering efforts to improve poultry welfare, productivity, and environmental sustainability in the industry. Through two groundbreaking projects, FeedFlow and NetFLOX360, millions in UK Government funding have been secured to drive advancements in poultry farming using innovative technologies and sustainable practices.

The Centre for Research into Environmental Science and Technology (CREST) at the University of Chester is part of the FeedFlow project, led by Flybox®, an insect farming innovator. The project, funded with over £3 million from Innovate UK under DEFRA’s Farming Innovation Programme, utilizes AI and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae to address key challenges in poultry health, welfare, and sustainability.

“Working alongside a phenomenal cohort of industry leaders and academic institutions, Flybox® is confident that this project, which leverages advanced AI and BSF larvae, will deliver exceptional results,” said Larry Kotch, CEO and Co-Founder of Flybox®. The FeedFlow initiative unites various partners, including UK poultry-tech start-up FLOX, Nottingham Trent University, Courteenhall Farms, Menchine Farm, and Clarke Group Construction.

The FeedFlow project incorporates AI-based monitoring via the FLOX platform, providing real-time insights into poultry welfare and alerting farmers to potential issues early on. Additionally, the fortified BSF larvae offer a nutrient-dense feed that supports poultry health more effectively than traditional options. The project also uses Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), led by Jess Callaghan and Professor Julieanna Powell-Turner, to assess the Global Warming Potential of poultry farming practices, promoting lower emissions without compromising quality.

CREST also received a £1.5 million grant through Innovate UK’s Transforming Food Production Challenge Fund for the NetFLOX360 project, a partnership aimed at integrating data from poultry farming to factory insights. NetFLOX360, led by FLOX and 2 Sisters Food Group (2SFG), the UK’s largest poultry producer, will extend the capabilities of the FLOX AI platform to large-scale poultry operations.

Dr. Kennedy Mutua from CREST emphasized that NetFLOX360 addresses a critical need in the poultry supply chain by integrating real-time data across the entire production process, from farm to factory. This project will bring together producers, processors, researchers, and policymakers to support data-driven decisions and enhance poultry welfare and operational efficiency.

Imtiaz Shams, CEO of FLOX, highlighted how AI and machine vision technologies are transforming the industry, allowing farmers to make informed choices while improving welfare and sustainability. Through dashboard displays, producers and processors can view real-time data insights, enhancing communication and response times across the supply chain.

Professor Julieanna Powell-Turner, Associate Dean of Research and Innovation at the University of Chester, underscored the projects’ significance in addressing industry challenges such as leg health, mortality rates, feed efficiency, and ammonia emissions. The FeedFlow and NetFLOX360 projects aim to set new standards for sustainability and efficiency, backed by innovative technologies and data insights.

Commenting on the environmental impact of the FeedFlow project, Prof. Powell-Turner noted, “The use of BSF larvae offers significant potential to reduce global warming by efficiently converting organic waste into high-protein feed, which in turn lowers greenhouse gas emissions and promotes sustainable waste management.”

Professor Emily Burton, Director of the Safety and Sustainability Research Theme at Nottingham Trent University, added, “Quantifying the environmental impact of food production interventions is essential for sustainable change. Life Cycle Analysis provides a clear measure of the benefits, guiding decision-making for producers and consumers alike.”

The NetFLOX360 project promises to advance poultry welfare monitoring through AI-driven Life Cycle Assessment, empowering producers to detect environmental challenges along the production chain and achieve more sustainable outcomes.

With these projects, the University of Chester and its partners are at the forefront of transforming the poultry industry, enhancing animal welfare, operational efficiency, and sustainability across the UK.

Cooper Farms, a food processor based in Oakwood, Ohio, has bolstered its egg processing capabilities over the past year with significant upgrades aimed at improving both efficiency and sustainability.

These include new storage silos and an advanced egg breaker added to their Liquid Egg Processing plant in Fort Recovery, Ohio.

The recent egg breaker enables rapid separation of whites and yolks, supporting the high demand for their liquid egg products, while the added silos ensure sufficient storage capacity.

These changes have been instrumental in accommodating increased production without compromising quality.

Jeff Cutler, Cooper Farms’ director, described the upgrades as transformative, aligning with the company’s goals for enhanced energy efficiency.

With optimized systems, Cooper Farms has successfully reduced energy usage and minimized waste across its operations, highlighting its commitment to sustainable growth in the egg processing industry.

Bounty Fresh made World Chicken and Egg Month unforgettable with the lively debut of their new mascot, Chicky, at Trinoma Activity Center. The event drew a crowd of families and fans, who enjoyed activities like parades, interactive contests, and an exciting egg hunt, complete with fabulous prizes. Attendees who liked the Bounty Fresh and Bounty Fresh Market Facebook pages were treated to all these activities for free.

Adding even more energy to the celebration, popular Filipino personalities Dianne Medina, Rodjun Cruz, and their young son, Joaquin, made a special appearance. The family joined the crowd to dance with Chicky, spreading joy and excitement among attendees. Their presence made the event particularly memorable, reinforcing the family-friendly spirit that Bounty Fresh strives to embody.

The festivities were officially launched by Ms. Stephanie Guerrero, Vice President for Marketing at Bounty Fresh Group Holdings Inc., who delivered a heartfelt welcome speech. She expressed gratitude to the enthusiastic attendees and highlighted the family and community values that Chicky represents. Guerrero also took the opportunity to emphasize Bounty Fresh’s commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability, aligning with the company’s #FoodMadeBetter campaign, which advocates for nutritious and responsibly-produced food.

Bounty Fresh extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined and made Chicky’s grand reveal a remarkable “Bountyful” celebration, underscoring the brand’s dedication to creating memorable experiences for families. Through this vibrant event, Bounty Fresh successfully merged its core values with a fun, engaging celebration, leaving a lasting impression on the community.