Turkey Industry Hasn’t Bounced Back From 2015 Bird Flu

That huge outbreak of Avian Influenza in 2015 caused the loss of 48 million chickens and turkeys, and was described at the time as "the largest animal health emergency in our country's history."  But, unlike the chicken and egg sector, which came back from the disaster in pretty good shape, seeing more production and higher prices, the turkey market has not.

USDA Outlook Board Chairman Seth Meyer says demand dropped after the outbreak and three years later, "Demand remains pretty weak. In a very economist's term, you've shifted back supply but prices haven't risen. So, what happened? Well, demand shifted right along with it, and prices have remained pretty weak."

Turkey production in 2016 and 2017 held stead at about 5.9 Billion pounds each year. This year's forecasted production is also 5.9 Billion pounds.

"Yet, prices have not yet rallied," said Meyer

In fact, it's been just the opposite.  The USDA's new average price forecast for this year is 88.4 cents a pound, it was 96 cents last year, and $1.14 the year before.

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