Global poultry production enters 2026 with strong momentum, but also with a higher degree of complexity than in recent years. For feed manufacturers supplying broiler and layer operations, the year ahead will be shaped by sustained protein demand, uneven regional growth, ongoing disease pressure, intensifying sustainability expectations, and geopolitical uncertainty that will continue to ripple through feed ingredient markets.
According to industry data, overall feed prices fell 6% in 2025, driven by reduced demand for cattle feed and accumulated feed inventories, while corn and soybean meal prices remained below long-term averages. Broiler and egg production increases were supported by these lower feed costs, and the downward trend is forecast to extend into 2026 with an additional 1-2% decline in feed prices as ample grain supplies and stable protein meal markets persist.
