USDA lowers US broiler price forecast for 2026, lifts 2027 outlook
Stable spring prices prompt modest downward revision
16 June 2026
1 minute read
By: The US Department of Agriculture has revised its 2026 broiler price forecast lower while projecting a modest increase for 2027, according to the agency's latest estimates.
The national composite wholesale whole broiler price averaged 121.13 cents per pound in April. Weekly averages for the weeks ending May 1 and May 8 came in at 122.75 and 121.86 cents per pound respectively.
With prices holding relatively stable, the USDA lowered its second-quarter 2026 projection by 3 cents to 122 cents per pound. Third- and fourth-quarter forecasts were also trimmed to 123 cents per pound each, bringing the projected annual average for 2026 to 121.9 cents per pound, down 1.7 cents from last month's estimate.
For 2027, the USDA projected the national composite whole broiler price will average 124 cents per pound, up 1.7% from 2026, with strong prices for competing animal proteins expected to support broiler markets.
