02 Apr An Expanding Poultry Industry Ready for the Future
Trends in food consumption based on a recent study reported that poultry consumption is increasing. This increase in consumption has come with a boom in technology, new processes, and a global increase of poultry and meat suppliers.
This increased production is, in part, due to the relatively lower costs of production and increased speed of equipment. In the top poultry producing countries, USA, China, Russia, India and Brazil, speed limits for the line are either limitless or 175 birds per minute. This high-speed per line means lower costs, more output and rapid growth demand for new birds. Another factor that is increasing the production capabilities of companies is the highly developed integration many companies have put into place from the hatchery all the way to the processing plant. This new cost-effective way of producing poultry products has propelled USA into being a major global player for poultry exports and production.
Other steps have been taken besides streamlining and integrating the production process to speed operations. The poultry industry has separated into more defined roles within meat production and egg production. Formerly, farmers kept small backyard flocks that supplied them with poultry and eggs for their own farm consumption and some for sale at local markets. Now, growing operations are large; housing in a single location now often ranges from a few hundred thousand birds all the way up to a few million birds. This has lead to a tremendous increase in production, as there are more birds ready for processing at one time.
The poultry industry of today is much different from its humble beginnings. Think back to when farmers had a small amount of animals that they raised, consumed for their own personal use and sold some at local markets. Now, the poultry industry produces over 302 metric tons of meat globally. Increased output is due to increased demand and consumers are choosing poultry now more than ever. The consumers also demand cheaper prices, more nutritional value and ready-to-eat de-boned poultry. This particular set of expectations by American consumers is supported by companies like DeLong’s, which produce the fine equipment that makes these ready-to-eat meat sources possible. The usage of new technology, streamlined systems and increased demand are currently resulting in a boom for the poultry industry that is coming to your plate everyday.