WASHINGTON (RFD-TV) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) annual report, Turkeys Raised, shows U.S. turkey production slipping to 195 million head in 2025, down three percent year-over-year (yy). The decline marks the second-straight year of contraction in the nation’s turkey industry.
The top six producing states accounted for 68 percent of total domestic turkey production:
- Minnesota led with 32 million turkeys, unchanged yy
- North Carolina increased its output by four percent to 28 million
- Arkansas dropped by 12 percent to 22 million
- Indiana held steady at 20 million
- Missouri slipped three percent to 15 million
- Virginia eased two percent to 15 million
Other notable changes included Ohio down six percent to 6 million, Pennsylvania off three percent to 7.5 million, and South Dakota sharply lower at 2.4 million (that is, 86 percent of last year’s total). By contrast, West Virginia and Michigan showed slight gains.
The nationwide total reflects both regional declines and strong performance in North Carolina, but overall numbers remain below recent peaks, continuing pressure on processors and growers.
Eliza Petry joins the RFD News team with a strong connection to agriculture and a commitment to covering the people and issues that matter most to rural America.
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