Despite rising price points for meat and poultry, animal protein demand is expected to remain strong in the new year. The combination of higher revenues and falling feed prices is boosting producer optimism. CoBank Animal Protein Economist Brian Earnest joins us for an analysis of the market, including consumer demand for beef, chicken, and poultry, and the overall sentiment in the animal protein sector.
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Food prices increased in December, but not as much as expected, according to the latest Consumer Price Index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
Structural efficiency supports cattle prices and resilience — breaking it risks higher costs and greater volatility.
Strong pork demand and improving beef exports outside China support protein markets despite ongoing trade barriers.
Rising adoption of GLP-1 drugs may gradually reshape food demand, with potential downstream effects on protein markets and consumer purchasing patterns.
Protein markets are fragmenting. Beef is supply-driven and more structurally expensive, whereas pork and poultry remain price-competitive.
Tight fed supplies shift margin risk to packers, strengthening cattle price leverage but increasing volatility.
Expanding chicken supplies are likely to keep prices under pressure in early 2026 despite steady demand growth.
Reduced winter placements indicate tighter fed cattle supplies and greater leverage during peak-demand months.