Low feed costs, high demand boost broiler growth in 2024

Continuing domestic protein supply growth shows promise for another strong year in 2025.

Elizabeth Doughman

April 4, 2025

Broiler Breeders

buh123 | BigStock.com

Chicken products performed impressively in both retail and foodservice in 2024, while the price of corn and soy remained low, resulting in a banner year for the broiler industry.

According to WATT Global Media’s annual Top Broiler Companies survey, the top broiler companies produced 1.031 billion pounds per week of ready-to-cook (RTC) chicken in 2024. That’s 0.68% more RTC pounds processed on a weekly basis than in 2023.

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The Function of Yeast in the New Era of Human-Grade Pet Nutrition [White Paper]

Professional woman in green blazer networking with colleagues at a corporate event or conference

Women in Petfood Leadership mentorship completes first cohort

Pet food marketers’ guide to blame-free obesity communication

Respectful communication does not require avoiding the word obesity. The guide favors precise descriptions over euphemisms that can minimize a health concern.

Veterinarian discussing pet nutrition with owner and pets in clinic, with no-pizza dietary sign visible

Brand Insights

Helping you navigate the evolving pet supplements industry

Petfood Industry

Stay current in this fast-growing category with insight that keeps you informed and helps you move forward with confidence.

Helping you navigate the evolving pet supplements industry

Pet Food Packaging

Today’s pet food packaging: adaptable, sustainable, convenient

The industry and consumers are both demanding packaging meet more needs than ever before.

Tabby cat with wide green eyes peeking over edge of cardboard box

Market Trends and Reports

Tractor Supply dog food sales fell 5% in past year

Cat food and dog treats posted modest gains, while smaller farm and ranch retailers increased overall pet sales.

Aerial view of a smiling dog face crop circle art created in a harvested grain field with circular spiral patterns

NASC Regulatory Update

Update: Animal Health Supplement Act would give products legal home

Learn the details on the legislation's timeline, regulatory coordination and a proposed product registration requirement.

U.S. Capitol building with government documents, legal scales icon, and pet care badge illustrating federal policy themes

AI only seems smarter than us. Pet food professionals still know best

AI is a powerful tool for analyzing information and exploring possibilities, but pet food companies should not mistake convincing answers for human judgment, expertise and accountability.

Surreal sci-fi collage featuring a glowing dog and cat with pet food bowl, surrounded by futuristic technology, religious figures, and cosmic imagery

Safety & Quality

Heavy metals found in cat foods; PFI disputes study

A Clean Label Project study of 100 cat foods from 62 brands detected lead in 99% of products tested, while the Pet Food Institute said the findings lack the scientific and regulatory context needed to interpret them.

Gray tabby kitten eating from a stainless steel food bowl on a carpet near cat furniture

55 dog divas, canine co-stars and hero hounds in film history

The dozens of dogs in this list include heroes, athletes, detectives, monsters, emotional support systems and agents of household destruction.

Multiple dogs on an Oscar-style stage with 'Good Dogs' banner and trophy in a theatrical awards ceremony setting

Central/Western/Southern Asia

Unicharm’s entry into India gets market nod

Japanese company launched its full pet care lineup in India in July as part of a push to make pet care a core global growth driver.

Woman shopping with golden retriever in natural products store aisle

Adventures in Pet Food

Is ‘affordability anxiety’ hitting pet food?

As a third of consumers worldwide say they’re worse off financially, and pet owners cite rising pet food prices as a challenge, how do pet food brands respond?

Woman holding small white dog while reading medication or pet product package in pharmacy aisle

How close is the pet food industry to its own AI singularity?

An artificial dog doesn’t need to be indistinguishable from a biological one. The threshold for zoodroid acceptance may come when a robot is better for a particular person's circumstances than a live pet.

Man in black leather coat and sunglasses holds red and blue pills while seated, with brown dog in foreground and digital code background

Coronavirus and Pets

Infographic: COVID pet food inflation became new-normal retail price

U.S. pet food and treat prices paid by consumers rose nearly 25% from January 2020 through August 2026, with most of the increase occurring after producer prices began surging in 2021.

Dog and cat with shopping cart, food bowl, coins, and virus icon representing pet industry growth

Business Strategy

Infographic: COVID may have permanently raised pet food producer prices

U.S. dog and cat food producer prices rose nearly 28% during the inflation surge of 2021–2023 and have remained near those elevated levels since.

Blue and cream quilted blanket with panels depicting dogs, cats, pet food, shipping, retail shopping, and financial growth charts

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