Poultry contributes significantly to the economy through multiple channels including employment, wages, economic activity, and government revenue.
Economic Contributions of Poultry
- The U.S. poultry industry provides over 2 million jobs, paying approximately $132.7 billion in wages to families across the country
- It generates about $663.6 billion in total economic activity, accounting for roughly 2.29% of the U.S. GDP
- The industry also contributes around $54 billion in government revenue, supporting federal and state budgets
- The broiler (chicken) sector alone supports nearly 1.4 million jobs, contributes $90.9 billion in wages, and generates $36.7 billion in government revenue
- The chicken industry specifically accounts for 1.5 million jobs, $94.9 billion in wages, and $417 billion in economic activity, highlighting its dominant role within poultry subcategories (chicken, turkey, eggs)
- Poultry production supports a wide range of sectors including farming, processing, transportation, manufacturing, retail, and restaurants, thus having a broad economic footprint
Additional Economic Roles
- Poultry production enhances food security by providing affordable, nutritious protein, which supports public health and poverty alleviation efforts
- It drives local economies through profit generation for producers and development of related industries such as feed production, hatcheries, and processing plants
- Employment in poultry processing is concentrated in certain U.S. counties, with wages varying regionally but generally providing stable jobs in rural and urban communities
Summary
Poultry is a vital economic sector that:
- Employs millions of Americans directly and indirectly.
- Generates hundreds of billions in wages and economic output.
- Contributes tens of billions in tax revenue.
- Supports food security and nutrition.
- Stimulates diverse economic activities from farm to table.
This multifaceted contribution underscores poultry’s critical role in national and local economies
