POULTRY Poultry Market Outlook - December
Discover the latest insights with our Poultry Market Outlook this month!
Stay ahead of the curve with up-to-date information on global poultry protein market prices.
Dive into our expert analysis and discover the driving forces behind the industry’s evolution.
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FARM INPUTS PRICES – WORLDWIDE
Grain and oilseed markets saw contrasting trends in January. While US corn prices rebounded amid a weaker dollar, European markets’ remained tight due to restricted Ukrainian supply. In oilseeds, expectations of a record Brazilian harvest continued to weigh on global soybean meal prices, although domestic demand provided support in key markets. In China, stockpiling ahead of Chinese New Year helped support prices.
Corn
- US corn prices rose in January to $173.6/t, from $167.3/t in December. Prices fell after USDA’s raised production estimate to 432.3 Mt (+6.8 Mt vs. December and +54.1 Mt vs. 2024). They rebounded, due to a sharp USD depreciation, to boost US-origin corn’s competitiveness.
- In Brazil prices showed little change while awaiting the first harvest results. Corn traded at $211.8/t in January, compared to $212.9/t in December.
- On the European market, corn prices held at $240.4/t. Supply remains tight due to limited availability and slower flows from Ukraine – its main supplier – due to damage to infrastructure.
- Prices increased on the Chinese market (+$4.8/t m-on-m). But prices continue to move within a relatively narrow range for several months, in the absence of any major developments likely to generate significant volatility.
Soya and Soybean meal
- On the US market, soybean meal prices remained on a downward trend (-$12.7/t), reaching $299.3/t in January. The large volumes expected in Brazil are already putting downward pressure on prices across the continent.
- In the European Union, prices declined under the weight of the forthcoming Brazilian harvest. Soybean meal stood at $388.0/t, compared to $399.0/t in December.
- Brazil is set to achieve a record harvest with 178 Mt expected this marketing year. On the domestic market, however, soybean meal prices remain supported by strong domestic and global demand.
- In China, soybean meal prices increased, mainly driven by higher stockpiling ahead of Chinese New Year. Prices reached $476.7/t, representing a +1.0% increase compared to December.
BROILER CHICKEN PRICE OVERVIEW – GLOBAL
January 2026 opened with a mixed global trend, shaped by China’s supply adjustment, a gradual recovery in European production, and strong US demand ahead of the Super Bowl. The animal health situation showed no improvement, particularly in Europe, where 133 HPAI outbreaks were detected on commercial farms since January 1. Around one-third occurred in Poland, the EU’s largest poultry producer.
BROILER CHICKEN PRICE OVERVIEW – EUROPE
January broiler prices stabilized but remained 4% higher year-on-year and still about 18% higher in USD terms. The depreciation of the US dollar against the euro reduced the competitiveness of European exports and improved the price positioning of other suppliers on the EU market, creating additional pressure on European operators. Demand across Europe remained resilient despite a fragile supply situation, particularly in Poland, where around 40 outbreaks were reported in early 2026.
BROILER CHICKEN PRICE OVERVIEW – USA
Prices fell in the autumn, after record high prices, but have almost recovered since. January steer prices were up by 3% in a month and 15% above 2025 high levels. Preliminary USDA data says beef slaughtering decreased by 4% in 2025. The US cattle herd, historically low, was 0.4% down year-over-year in January 2026. Beef cow numbers decreased by 1% y-o-y but beef heifers were up by 1%, which may increase the total herd and beef production in the next few years. US beef meat imports were up by 7% in January y-o-y and the US government multiplied by 5 the free-tariff quota for argentinian trimmings, to ease pressure on retail prices.
BROILER CHICKEN PRICE OVERVIEW – BRAZIL
Brazilian beef prices increased by 2% in a month in January, and were above early 2025 level in US$ (+11%) but not in Réais (-1% year-over-year). Beef production increased by 4% in 2025 (estimates) and exports bounced up by 21%, including to China and Hong Kong: +24% at 2.2 million tons cwe. Even though China has put a 55% tariff on exports above 1.1 million tons from Brazil, the country sent 160.000 tons cwe to China-Hong Kong in January, 30% above last year’s level! Brazil also shipped 57% more meat to the US in January y-o-y and 25% more to the Middle East, confirming its ability to expand across diversified markets.
BROILER CHICKEN PRICE OVERVIEW – CHINA
In a month, January beef prices rose by 2% and stood 23% above early 2025 levels, though still below their 2024 peak. Chinese prices remain just below brazilian levels, as lqrge inflows of Brazilian meat imports continued in January (+30% to China-Hong Kong). According to Chinese meat distributors, China imported a record 4.03 million tons cwe of beef in 2025 (+6% year‑on‑year). China also implemented safeguard measures on beef imports, with a 55% tariff volumes exceeding the global quota of 2.7 million tons per year. In January, Brazilian beef exports to China were still surging, up 30% y-o-y.
