ANALYSIS: Historically Heavy Chicken, Historically Strong Demand

Average live weights in the US broiler industry remained at historically high levels for much of 2025, yet the market response diverged meaningfully from prior high-weight cycles. Weekly USDA federally inspected young chicken weights spent most of the year above the five-year average near 6.4 pounds, with extended stretches from late spring through early fall pressing toward the upper end of the historical range. In a more typical environment, that level of tonnage would have created sustained downward pricing pressure. Instead, the market largely absorbed the additional production.

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