Monday, April 12, 2004Broiler production and consumption on the rise
Chris Hill WASHINGTON -- Broiler production for 2004 is now expected to reach nearly 34 billion pounds this year, with per capita consumption forecast to grow by 2 pounds, according to USDA's Economic Research Service. In its latest Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook, released March 23, the service says broiler production will increase 3.6 percent this year to 33.93 billion pounds. Much of this growth is attributed to a 2 percent increase in bird weight at slaughter. In January, broiler production reached 2.84 billion pounds. Consumption is now expected to total 83.4 pounds per person, a 2.5 percent increase over last year and a rise of nearly 7 pounds since 2001. The relatively slow growth of production and the increase in demand are contributing to an increase in prices. Through February, the 12-city whole broiler price averaged 71.8 cents per pound, ERS reported, which is a 19 percent increase over the same period last year. Rib-on breast meat prices have increased by 15 percent to 96.4 cents per pound. "Prices of these products . . . have risen due to the combination of a strengthening economy, strong prices for other protein products, the effects of consumer reaction to the BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) situation and high-protein diets increasing broiler demand," the service stated. Other broiler parts, including leg quarters and wings, have experienced price increases. Prices for both are running at more than 70 percent higher than last year. On the export side, avian influenza outbreaks continue to cloud forecasts. ERS expects total broiler exports for 2004 to reach 4.96 billion pounds, a small increase over the 4.93 billion pounds exported last year. Exports in January already are 13.5 percent less than the same month in 2003, at nearly 362 million pounds. USDA Economic Research Service reports are available at http://www.ers.usda.gov.
Originally published Monday, April 12, 2004
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