Poultry Market Outlook - March
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 OVERVIEW – WORLDWIDE
Corn
- After several months of decline, corn prices on global markets are finding some support.
- In the United-States, prices have stabilised. Renewed dynamism on the export market and the strategy of some American producers of holding back sales have slowed the decline seen over the past few months.
- However, the advanced stage of harvesting and sowing in South America is still a bearish factor. USDA estimates are good, with 56 Mt expected in Argentina and 124 Mt in Brazil (compared with 41 Mt and 132 Mt respectively last year).
- In China, corn prices continue to fall. The Asian giant is maintaining its imports levels compared to the 2022/2023 campaign, despite the increase in its production (+11.6 Mt according to the USDA).
Soya and Soybean meal
- In March, the fall in soybean meal prices slowed down.
- In South America, the Brazilian harvest is progressing well, weighing on prices. However, weather conditions are deteriorating, with very hot and dry weather in the Midwest of the country and the threat of excess water in Argentina, which has mitigated the decline.
- Crushing activity has proven to be dynamic in the United-States, supporting soybean prices. In Chicago, the price of soybean meal has risen by 3 $/t compared to February.
- China remains discreet in imports despite attractive prices. This can be explained by a reduction in domestic demand for feed, because of the contraction of its swine herd.
BROILER CHICKEN PRICE OVERVIEW – WORLDWIDE
In March, there was little change in chicken prices, excepted a downward trend observed in China. The poultry industry maintains positive performance, with lower feed costs and a global dynamic consumption. France follows its national vaccination plan with success, HPAI outbreaks decreases in Europe, while new outbreaks emerge in Asia and Pacific, and in USA with mammals’ contaminations.
BROILER CHICKEN PRICE OVERVIEW – EUROPE
Despite significant imports that affect chicken industry, mainly from Brazil and Ukraine, European chicken production continue to grow. EU decided a compromise over new Ukraine trade deal tariffs on poultry meat. Products will be re-imposed if the import volumes exceed those for the reference period. This reference period now starts in June of 2021 and ends in December of 2023. HPAI risk decreases: over the 2 last weeks of March, just two more HPAI outbreaks in poultry have been confirmed across Europe, and the disease situation has been declared “resolved” in three countries. The French vaccination program has contributed to a significant drop in the number of HPAI outbreaks in France. Compared with 315 outbreaks in the 2022-2023 season, just 10 have been confirmed in France since autumn 2023. However, in the months to come, EU producers must maintain vigilance, because of HPAI cases continue to rise among wild birds.
BROILER CHICKEN PRICE OVERVIEW – USA
USDA confirmed cases of HPAI in domestic livestock in the last week of March in Texas, Kansas and Michigan. The virus affects livestock, but it can be diffused also to poultry nearby, with some new cases in New Mexico in the first weeks of April. A person was tested positive the April 1st for the HPAI virus after being infected by a dairy cow in Texas. A first case was discovered in the country in 2022, in Colorado, but it was an infection by poultry. Experts are concerned about the growing number of mammals infected with HPAI and its potential for spread between mammals, even though cases in humans are very rare.
BROILER CHICKEN PRICE OVERVIEW – BRAZIL
In March, broiler prices remain constant. However, Brazilian exports of chicken meat (considering all products, including fresh and processed) are the highest recorded in 2024. The United Arab Emirates leads with 40.7 thousand tons, a volume 16.2% higher than that recorded in the same period in 2023. Next is China, with 38.9 thousand tons and Saudi Arabia, with 35 thousand tons. Middle East region has been gaining prominence as a destination for Brazil’s chicken exports. This can be linked to geopolitical uncertainty in the region.
BROILER CHICKEN PRICE OVERVIEW – CHINA
Chicken prices in China decreased in March, attributed to weak demand, oversupply and the end of limitations on imports from Brazil. China has removed the anti-dumping process against Brazilian poultry that increased import duties up to 34.2% and has authorized the export of 12 new chicken factories. Brazil had 47 poultry factories qualified to export to China – it now has 55 poultry factories and 4 cold storages.