After months of losses in the chicken industry due to a decrease in demand and a drastic increase in feed costs, the chicken market is starting to reach the break-even point. The Ohio Farmer reports that while chicken and breast meat prices are down from a year ago, production is moderating and costs are coming down, increasing margins for processors.
Chicken production this year at the week ended Oct. 15 totaled 6.5 billion birds, 1.9% fewer than year ago, under year ago for the second straight week after being over year ago all year. Chicken meat production totaled 27.773 billion pounds, 0.8% more than year ago, the smallest year-over-year comparison of the year.