UK poultry meat production remained ahead of last year’s levels during August, with heavier broilers continuing to support output despite only modest growth in slaughter numbers.
Total UK poultry meat production reached 172,100 tonnes in August, up 3.3% compared with August 2025, according to the latest Defra figures. Broiler meat production increased 3.9% to 160,000 tonnes, while 92.9 million broilers were slaughtered, up just 0.4% year on year.
Average broiler liveweight reached 2.5kg in August, 3.5% higher than a year earlier. With slaughter numbers virtually unchanged, heavier birds continued to make an important contribution to the increase in meat production.
Boiling fowl throughputs increased 7.6% year on year to 2.3 million birds, while turkey slaughterings fell 1.1% to 0.6 million birds.
Chick placings
Hatchery data presents a more mixed picture for production in the months ahead.
UK broiler chick placings fell 2.4% year on year to 97.4 million chicks during August, following a 4.4% increase in July. The number of commercial broiler eggs set was broadly unchanged at 115 million, down just 0.3% on August 2025.
Turkey poult placings increased sharply, rising 60% year on year to 1 million poults, while turkey eggs set fell 23% to 0.8 million.
Commercial layer chick placings increased 9.7% to 3.6 million chicks, pointing to continued expansion in the laying flock. Commercial layer eggs set also increased, rising 17% year on year to 9.2 million.
Broiler breeder egg sets fell 11% to 6.1 million, however, suggesting some softening in the pipeline for future broiler production.
Defra says chick placings provide an indication of future poultry meat and egg production, with broiler and turkey placements responding closely to market demand.
Egg prices and production
The latest quarterly figures show UK egg production continuing to expand, although growth moderated during the second quarter.
UK egg production for human consumption reached 272 million dozen during Q2 2026, up 3.4% compared with the same quarter last year, although 0.5% below Q1. The average UK farmgate egg price was 153p/dozen, 3.1% higher year on year.
Shell egg production reached 240.3 million dozen, while processed egg production totalled 31.7 million dozen.
Packing-station intake increased 2.7% year on year to 268.1 million dozen. Free-range eggs accounted for 76% of throughput at 202.5 million dozen, while enriched-cage eggs accounted for 14% and barn eggs for 7%.
Demand from egg processors remained particularly strong. Eggs bought by UK processors reached 25,200 tonnes during Q2, up 34% year on year, while production of egg products increased 32.3% to 19,400 tonnes.
Overall, the latest figures continue to point to a UK poultry sector producing more meat and eggs than a year ago, although the forward meat supply picture is more mixed. Heavier broilers remain a key driver of meat production, while higher layer chick placements suggest continued growth in egg production ahead.