Poultry market information is from the week of February 15, 2026.
This week, analysts reported that pricing on jumbo sizes of breast meat, tenders and wings declined, while pricing for legs and thighs increased again. Analysts expect pricing to be stable during the last half of February, then climb slightly higher on breasts, tenders and wings. They also report that egg sets and placements were up compared to the same time last year. Analysts expect supply to be stable, 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 254 million eggs in incubators during the week ending February 14, 2026, up 2% from a year ago. Average hatchability for chicks hatched during the week in the United States was 79.1%. 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 February 14, 2026, up 2% from a year ago. Cumulative placements from the weeks ending January 10 through February 14, 2026 for the United States were 1.18 million. Cumulative placements were up 2 percent from the same period a year earlier.
Whole Chicken & Cut-Up Parts
Analysts report that small bird and larger whole bird overall demand decreased slightly this week, and that pricing has also decreased slightly.
Boneless, Skinless Thighs
Analysts report that boneless, skinless thigh meat pricing has increased this week. Spot load offerings of boneless thigh meat are difficult to uncover, due to high export demand, according to analysts. They expect the market to steadily increase through February and into March.
Boneless, Skinless Breasts
& Chicken Tenderloins
Pricing for small and medium breast meat was flat this week, while jumbo breast meat declined, according to analysts. Spot loads of jumbo breast meat can be uncovered, with pricing reflecting an increase in supply, they reported. Demand by Further Processors and the retail segment for breast meat is steady, they said. Analysts expect the jumbo boneless breast market to increase in March. According to industry analysts, some processors are being challenged with labor shortages, bird health issues and transportation issues.
According to analysts, jumbo tenders declined slightly this week, while small tenders were stable. Fresh jumbo spot loads have been uncovered with slight discounting. Frozen products can be sourced at better price points than fresh product, analysts said. They expect these markets to continue to climb higher in March.
Wings
Pricing for small and jumbo wings declined this week, while medium wings remained unchanged, according to analysts. Supplies of spot loads of jumbo fresh wings can be uncovered, as demand has weakened, 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 steady, according to analysts.
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