I am sure most of you know the importance of the poultry industry locally and statewide. The NC poultry industry ranks third nationally in total poultry production, second in turkey production with approximately 32 million turkeys produced, fifth in broiler production with approximately 800 million broilers produced, and tenth in egg production with approximately 3 billion eggs produced. The industry represents 38 percent of all cash receipts from agriculture in NC with a ‘farm gate’ value of approximately $3.6 billion.

Now for some national statistics provided from an economic impact study made available from the US Poultry & Egg Association, National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and United Egg Producers. The economic impact study was funded by US POULTRY and was conducted by John Dunham & Associates, based in New York City. The study shows that collectively, the poultry industry provides 1,337,030 jobs, $63 billion in wages, $265.6 billion in total economic activity and $23.4 billion in government revenue.

The study breaks down poultry into three subcategories: chickens, turkeys and eggs. Key economic data from each group are as follows:

The chicken industry provides 1,010,250 jobs, $47 billion in wages, $197 billion in economic activity and $17.2 billion in government revenue.

The turkey industry provides 147,890 jobs, $6.9 billion in wages, $29.5 billion in economic activity and $3.1 billion in government revenue.

The egg industry provides 123,100 jobs, $6.1 billion in wages, $29.5 billion in economic activity and $2.1 billion in government revenue.

For more information about the U.S. poultry industry’s economic impact, visit:

www.poultryfeedsamerica.org

www.chickenfeedsamerica.org

www.turkeyfeedsamerica.org

www.eggsfeedamerica.org

The national statistics were published in a recent issue of Poultry Times.