Consumers in a Fowl Mood: The Agriculture...

Consumers in a Fowl Mood: The Agriculture Department said this week that it expects poultry to be consumed at an annual rate of 98 pounds per person in 1996, up five pounds from 1995, making it the top choice among all meats.

“It’s going to be seeing the largest increase of any of the meats,” a department economist said, primarily because of affordability and health perceptions that aid poultry consumption.

However, total red meat consumption is on the rise as lower retail prices make the product more attractive to consumers.

The department projected total red meat consumption in 1996 at 125.5 pounds per capita, up from the 124.4 pounds estimated for 1995 and the 122.7 pounds for 1994.

While total poultry production in 1996 is projected at 32.8 million pounds, up from the 31 million estimated for 1995, expansion will be slowed by higher production costs, the department said.