May 23, 2012

US turkey meat production increased by 3.1% for the first quarter of this year.

According to the USDA's Livestock, Dairy, Poultry and Aquaculture Outlook for May, In 2013, turkey meat production is expected to rise almost 1% from a year ago and is slated to be the third year in a row with an increase in production. This increase is expected to be a result of an increase in the number of birds slaughtered and slightly higher average live weights at slaughter.

After a slight rise in US turkey production in the third quarter of 2011, turkey processors have responded to the strong prices for whole birds that were present throughout the year. The increased turkey production was the outcome of a 1.7% increase in the number of birds slaughtered and a 1.3% increase in average weights for the turkeys at slaughter.

Higher turkey meat production expected throughout 2012. At the end of the first quarter of 2012, turkey stocks were 15% higher than in the same period in 2011. The increase was from a combination of higher stocks of whole birds, up 6%, and increases in stocks of turkey parts and products, which was up 23%.