Poultry market information is from the week of March 22, 2026.
This week, analysts reported that pricing on all sizes of breast meat and all sizes of tenders increased again due to heavy demand from further processors, foodservice and retail, while pricing in the thigh meat category increased again as supply stays tight. Analysts expect pricing to continue rising on breast meat, tenders and thigh meat during early spring. They also report that egg sets and placements were up compared to the same time last year. Analysts expect supply to be balanced and demand to continue to increase in the near term.
Broiler-Type Eggs Set in the United States Up 2%
Per the weekly USDA Broiler Hatchery report, hatcheries in the United States weekly program set 255 million eggs in incubators during the week ending March 21, 2026, up 2% from a year ago. Average hatchability for chicks hatched during the week in the United States was 78.%. Average hatchability is calculated by dividing chicks hatched during the week by eggs set three weeks earlier.
Broiler-Type Chicks Placed in the United States Up 2%
Per the weekly USDA Broiler Hatchery report, broiler growers in the United States weekly program placed 196 million chicks for meat production during the week ending March 21, 2026, up 2% from a year ago. Cumulative placements from the weeks ending January 10, 2026 through March 21, 2026, for the United States were 2.15 billion. Cumulative placements were up 2% from the same period a year earlier.
Whole Chicken & Cut-Up Parts
Analysts report that small bird and larger whole bird overall demand declined slightly this week, and that pricing has also declined slightly.
Boneless, Skinless Thighs
Analysts report that boneless, skinless thigh meat pricing has increased this week. Spot load offerings of boneless thigh meat are very difficult to uncover due to retail and high export demand, according to analysts. Analysts expect the market to steadily increase through April.
Boneless, Skinless Breasts
& Chicken Tenderloins
Pricing for small, medium and jumbo breast meat rose this week, according to analysts. Spot loads of jumbo breast meat are difficult to uncover, with pricing increasing, they reported. Demand by Further Processors, foodservice and the retail segment for breast meat has increased, they said. Analysts expect the jumbo boneless breast market to continue to climb in the near term. According to industry analysts, some processors are being challenged with labor shortages, bird health issues and transportation issues.
According to analysts, pricing on all sizes of tenders increased this week. Fresh spot loads have been difficult to uncover, and pricing is elevated. Frozen products can be sourced at better price points than fresh product, analysts said. They expect these markets to continue to climb higher through April.
Wings
Pricing for small, medium and jumbo wings was unchanged this week, according to analysts. Supplies of spot loads of jumbo fresh wings can be uncovered, but demand has started to move up, they reported. Analysts also predict that due to medium bird processors taking their bird weights up to a jumbo size, the market will continue to see pressure in terms of consistent fresh medium wing availability. Demand from the retail segment and Further Processors for all sizes of wings is unremarkable, according to analysts.
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