Estimating COVID-19 Impacts on the Broiler Industry

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic created massive disruptions in meat supply chains including the US poultry industry. Detrimental impacts to chicken demand due to restaurant closures led to supply adjustments affecting broiler producers. The integrated structure of the broiler industry creates significant challenges in estimating grower losses. Farmers who raise broiler chickens do not own the birds and price drops are not directly felt in the same manner as in other commodities. This article examines the broiler industry and presents methodology to better understand the farm-level impacts of COVID-19. Further, this work is useful for policy response considerations for broiler growers.