Turkey production in the United States is expected to decline by 2% in 2019, but in two of the top six turkey producing states, production is forecast to increase.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Turkeys Raised report, about 240 million turkeys are expected to be produced in the nation in 2019, down about 2% from the estimated 244.75 million turkeys raised in 2018.
Production projections in top turkey states
Minnesota is the largest producer of turkeys in the United States, but it is forecast to reduce its production by about 5% this year, dropping from about 42 million to about 40 million birds.
North Carolina, the second largest turkey producer is expected to produce the same number of birds this year as it did in 2018 at 32.5 million. Also expected to keep its numbers steady is Missouri, the fifth largest turkey producing state, which is forecast to produce 19 million turkeys.
Indiana, ranked fourth in turkey production will increase its production the most of the top six states, with an increase of 8% to 21.5 million.
Arkansas, currently the third largest turkey producing state, is forecast to increase production by 2% and at 32 million birds, only one half million fewer turkeys than the third largest turkey producing state.
Rounding out the top six is Missouri is Virginia, which is expected to drop production by 7 percent to 15.7 million birds.
Those six states account for about 67% of all turkey raised in the United States.
Other states
Seven other states are listed as meaningful turkey producers in the report. Of those, only West Virginia, South Dakota and Michigan are expected to increase production in 2019. West Virginia’s production is forecast to increase 16% to 3.6 million turkeys, while South Dakota is projected to increase 4% to 4.4 million, and Michigan’s production is forecast to increase 2% to 5.4 million.
Meanwhile, production in California is forecast to decrease 15% to 9.4 million turkeys; Iowa’s production is forecast to decline 2% to 11.7 million; Ohio’s will drop 12% to 5.9 million; and Pennsylvania will see a 6% production decrease at 6.6 million turkeys.
All other states collectively account for a 33.2 million birds according to 2019 projections. Those states’ aggregate turkey production is expected to decline 2% when compared to 2018.
