GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Despite major inflation straining the United States’ economy, the poultry industry touts a tremendous economic impact. Poultry products continue to be enjoyed nationwide by Americans as a major food source. Chicken has also been shown to be a much more economical choice at the grocery store when compared to beef.
The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, the National Chicken Council, the National Turkey Federation and the United Egg Producers conducted a study to show the positive effect that the poultry industry has on the economy.
Some of the key findings of this economic impact study include:
- Chicken: the chicken industry provides more than 1.5 million jobs, $94.9 billion in wages, and $417 billion in economic activity.
- Eggs: the egg industry provides more than 112,000 jobs, $6.9 billion in wages, and $33.7 billion in economic activity.
- Turkeys: the turkey industry provides more than 362,000 jobs, $22.7 billion in wages, and $99.5 billion in economic activity.
“We are pleased to continue providing this valuable tool across the industry that shows the positive economic impact the poultry industry has on our nation and communities,” John Starkey, USPOULTRY president, said.
The study adds that, as a whole, the U.S. poultry industry provides:
- 2,012,269 jobs.
- $125.6 billion in wages.
- $555.9 billion in economic activity.
- $33.7 billion in government revenue.
The associations that produced this study also note incredibly significant representation across all spectrums of the U.S. poultry industries.
The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is among the largest poultry organizations in the world and represents the entire industry as a whole and is dubbed the “all feather” association. Participants that are involved in USPOULTRY are producers and processors of broilers, turkeys, ducks, eggs and breeding stock. USPOULTRY, known worldwide, has connections in 27 states across the country. Their vision statement is “To be the leading technical resource and voice for the feather industries.” USPOULTRY’s mission statement, “The All Feather Association progressively serving its poultry and egg members through research, education, communications and technical services.”
The National Chicken Council is a non-profit trade organization, who is a voice and an advocate for the broiler business in Washington, D.C. The NCC’s mission is to act as a lobbyist organization to influence legislation, regulations and governmental programs that positively affect chicken production. The organization also communicates with lawmakers and the mass media about chicken production, specifically about processing and products. The association influences domestic and international trade policies, along with keeping foreign markets sustained for U.S. chicken. They protect the character of the chicken industry. The partner companies include chicken producers and processors. It also includes poultry distributors.
The producers and processors make up an estimated 95 percent of chicken that is produced in the U.S. The NCC started as the National Broiler Council in 1954. In 1965, the organization moved to Washington D.C. and later changed its name to the National Chicken Council. The name was officially adopted in 1998. The chicken industry gives 1,517,797 jobs and $94.9 million in salaries. The organization produces $25.5 million in taxes. Overall, the total effect of the chicken industry on the economy is $417 million.
Since 1968, the United Egg Producers has worked to give egg farmers the perfect setting for the farms to flourish. The UEP works to ensure the proper safety standards for the eggs and provide sustainable habitats for hens. At first, the UEP was comprised of five local advertising companies. The organization celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018. The egg industry offers 112,723 jobs to Americans and $6.9 billion in incomes. The total taxes created from the egg industry are $1.8 billion. The impression on the economy is $33.7 billion.
Since 1940, the National Turkey Federation, headquartered in Washington, D.C., has been an advocate for the turkey industry, raising product awareness, and being a resource to help get product across the nation and worldwide. NTF has nearly 300 affiliated companies representing turkey growers, hatchers, processors, distributors, and more. Last year, approximately 2,500 U.S. farms raised more than 216 million turkeys, of which, many are family farms. NTF adds that it works, “to amplify the hard work done by the men and women across the turkey industry to support America’s robust food supply.”
This recent economic impact study was funded by USPOULTRY. Much more information is available online regarding the industry’s impact. For separate sector breakdowns visit:
