by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)
Avian influenza had a significant impact on U.S. turkey production in 2022 and it led to higher prices for Thanksgiving meals. Production is up nationwide, and in Arkansas, turkey production is higher than the national average.
Arkansas is third in national rankings of turkey production, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Turkeys Raised report. Arkansas turkey production is up 6% to 27.5 million turkeys. The largest turkey-producing state is Minnesota with 39 million turkeys, up 5% from the previous year. North Carolina has produced 29 million turkeys this year, up 4% from a year ago.
Enough turkey has been produced with the rebound from bird flu last year that exports have increased in 2023 and are projected to continue that trend in 2024 based on lower prices for U.S.-grown turkey, notes the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates. The net impact to consumers should be lower turkey prices this fall and winter.
