As 2026 begins, U.S. poultry export volumes show nuanced movement — weighed down by persistent avian influenza impacts, stronger global competitors, and shifting trade patterns, even as production trends evolve.
Export Trends: Broilers and Eggs
Although detailed official USDA export figures for full 2025 are still pending final release, recent industry data and projections show key patterns shaping the current trade landscape:
- Broiler production and early export signals indicate increasing activity into 2026, buoyed by record broiler headcounts and strong hatchery performance that helped production grow through 2025. This strengthening production base supported export volumes in the latter part of the year.
- Global trade snapshot shows continued demand for poultry products, with strong export activity from Brazil in late 2025 — a factor that continues to influence major global market share and competition dynamics for U.S. suppliers.
- Industry uncertainty persists, with broader meat and poultry markets navigating political, economic, and policy headwinds that could indirectly affect export flows and pricing into 2026.
Underlying Challenges
Two major forces have shaped recent U.S. export performance:
- Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)Avian influenza continued to challenge commercial flocks through 2025, causing sporadic losses and tighter exportable supplies, especially for eggs and certain poultry cuts. While domestic control measures have helped stabilize production, lingering HPAI risk still affects export market confidence and trade access for some countries.
- Global Competitive Pressure
Brazil’s poultry industry, in particular, set new export volume records in 2025, securing strong global demand amid supply shortfalls elsewhere and reinforcing its role as a dominant exporter.
Egg Exports: Imported Eggs Rise as Domestic Supply Tightens
While broad export figures for U.S. egg shipments remain lower than pre-2024 levels, imports of shell and egg products into the United States surged in 2025 as domestic supplies tightened due to past HPAI losses. Notably, countries such as Türkiye, Mexico, Brazil, and others increased shipments into the U.S. market to help fill gaps.
This shift altered traditional trade flows — with the U.S. fulfilling more of its egg demand through imports even as it continues to send egg products to Canada, Mexico, and other buyers.
What 2026 Might Bring
The early 2026 market outlook suggests:
A larger broiler production base, which could help support higher exports later in the year as global demand stabilizes and supply chains adjust.
Modest upward revisions in egg and egg product export projections for 2026 — reflecting expected easing of HPAI pressures and rebalancing of domestic supply.
However, continued competition from low-cost exporters, ongoing disease management, and global economic uncertainties mean export volumes may continue to fluctuate through 2026.
