May 28, 2009
US poultry production down seven percent on-year
Poultry production in the US dropped seven percent to 13.627 billion bushels during April compared to 14.621 billion during January to April 2008, according to the USDA.
The drop was due to uncertainties over demand because of the economy and high feed prices.
Total amount of poultry certified wholesome was 3.523 billion pounds. Chicken accounted for 3.039 billion pounds, down six percent on-year, while turkey fell nine percent on-year to 475 million pounds. Duck also decreased 10 percent on-year to 9.069 million pounds.
The live weight of all poultry slaughtered during April was 4.699 billion pounds, down from 5.062 billion a year ago. Chicken accounted for 4.091 billion pounds, turkey 592.26 million and ducks at 12.811 million. Year-to-date total is 18.215 billion pounds, down seven percent from January to April 2008.
Chicken slaughter reached 733.4 million head, down seven percent from April 2008. Turkey slaughter also decreased seven percent to 20.297 million head, while duck slaughter fell nine percent on-year to 1.88 million head.
The average live weight of all chickens was 5.58 pounds, turkeys averaged 29.33 pounds, while ducks became one-percent heavier from a year ago at 6.72 pounds.
Ante-mortem condemnations fell 21 percent on-year to 12.129 million pounds. Post-mortem condemnations were pegged at 38.029 million pounds, 20-percent lower from 47.643 million last year.
