WHAT HAPPENED: The Circular Action Alliance (CAA), the designated producer responsibility organization (PRO) for six of the seven states with enacted Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) packaging laws, has set a supply report deadline of May 31, 2026 — effectively June 1 since May 31 falls on a Sunday — for obligated producers. Chicken processors and other food industry producers that sell packaged products into California, Colorado, Oregon, Maryland, Minnesota, or Washington may be subject to these requirements.
BACKGROUND: EPR laws require companies — including brand owners, manufacturers, and licensees — to register with a PRO, report the weight of “covered materials” (generally single-use packaging, food service ware, and in some states paper products) sold into each state, and pay fees to the PRO.
WHAT’S DUE: Requirements vary by state. Producers in California, Colorado, and Oregon must file annual supply reports covering calendar year 2025 packaging data by material category. Producers in Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington must submit simplified “interim” supply reports for 2025. California producers face additional obligations, including a baseline plastic packaging report for 2023, an annual source reduction report, and — for those seeking a “small producer” exemption (under $1 million in gross California sales) — an exemption application, all due June 1. California producers also have an Individual Source Reduction Plan due August 1, 2026.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR THE CHICKEN INDUSTRY: Chicken companies that sell products in retail or food service packaging in any of these six states should assess whether they qualify as an “obligated producer” under each state’s law. Missing the reporting deadline could expose companies to compliance risk as state EPR programs move from planning into active enforcement phases.
The White House congressional picnic on Tuesday featured a “boardwalk buffet” of herb roasted chicken, short ribs and salmon. The White House posted video of President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcoming the members of Congress.
Source: CNN reporter Alejandra Jaramillo on X
U.S. total broiler slaughter data for the week ending May 16, 2026, is estimated by USDA’s Poultry Market News Service to be 170,711,000 broilers, a 1-percent increase from the same week a year earlier.
The 1-percent increase in slaughter compares with a 2-percent increase in eggs set in the United States, 10 weeks earlier, and a 2-percent increase in chicks placed 7 weeks earlier in the United States. USDA’s latest Broiler Hatchery report can be viewed here.
| U.S. Eggs Set, Chicks Placed, Broiler Slaughter Report | ||||||||||
| Week ending | Eggs set | Chicks placed | Eggs set | Chicks placed | Broilers slaughtered | |||||
| change from | change from | 10 weeks previous | 7 weeks previous | |||||||
| 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | ||||||
| -000- | % | -000- | % | -000- | % | -000- | % | -000- | % | |
| Apr | ||||||||||
| 11 | 256,827 | 103 | 197,285 | 103 |
251,111 | 101 | 192,408 | 101 | 171,173 | 102 |
| 18 | 256,874 | 102 | 198,480 | 104 |
254,036 | 102 | 193,098 | 101 | 168,744 | 103 |
| 25 | 256,431 | 103 | 195,753 | 102 |
254,580 | 102 | 195,286 | 102 | 170,854 | 103 |
| May | ||||||||||
| 2 | 256,491 | 102 | 198,686 | 103 |
254,948 | 102 | 196,241 | 102 | 171,230 | 103 |
| 9 | 256,101 | 103 | 198,636 | 103 |
254,423 | 102 | 196,001 | 102 | 171,765 | 102 |
| 16 | 255,513 | 102 | 198,107 | 103 |
253,644 | 102 | 195,765 | 102 | 170,711 | 101 |
| 23* | — | — | — | — |
253,754 | 102 | 196,663 | 103 | — | — |
*Memorial Day Weekend
This Memorial Day weekend, NCC honors America’s military men and women who lost their lives in service to our country. We will never forget their sacrifices to ensure the United States remains the land of the free.
WHAT HAPPENED: The House on Wednesday passed a bill, by a 218-203 vote, to allow year-round sales of higher ethanol blends, known as E15. The measure garnered support from 122 Republicans, 95 Democrats and one independent. The biofuel bill was rejected by 90 GOP members and 113 Democrats. A total of nine lawmakers didn’t vote.
BACKGROUND: Sales of E15, a fuel blend with 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline, have been typically restricted for parts of the year because of smog concerns, though President Trump has used executive action to allow E15 sales this summer.
THE MAIN STICKING POINT: The objections center around the economic ripple effects of language that would change how the Environmental Protection Agency handles small refinery exemptions (SREs) from national biofuel-blending rules under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The SRE provision also faces objection from independent refiners who say it would lead to burdensome compliance costs and put union jobs at risk.
WHAT’S NEXT: The bill faces some stiff opposition in the Senate. Some Republican senators from oil-producing states have vowed to oppose the bill, underscoring the challenges it faces in the upper chamber, where legislation must meet a 60-vote threshold to advance.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “I oppose a year-round E15 mandate. That’s what’s currently under debate,” said Sen. John Barasso (R-WY). “I oppose it because it hurts small refineries and all of the people around the country who work in these small refineries.”
“In truth, ‘E15,’ as it is known, is the ethanol lobby’s Trojan horse to expand one of the most costly and destructive federal mandates in U.S. history: the Renewable Fuel Standard. Without reforms to the underlying rule, the E15 expansion entrenches a hidden gas tax, drives up food and fuel prices, slashes vehicle efficiency, threatens refining jobs, and undermines American energy dominance.” — Reps. Scott Perry (R-PA) and Chip Roy (R-TX) in a recent op-ed.
Source: Good in Every Grain
WHAT HAPPENED: Nothing yet. Registration is open for the 2026 Chicken Marketing Summit, scheduled for July 27-29 at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. But early bird rates — offering savings of $200 per registrant — end on May 31.
WHY IT MATTERS: The Chicken Marketing Summit is the premier annual conference for poultry marketing and sales executives, bringing together leaders from across the chicken supply chain — from processors and retailers to foodservice operators and allied industry partners. The event is produced by WATT Global Media in collaboration with NCC and remains a member benefit for NCC processor and allied member companies. NCC members also receive $100 off registration.
WHAT’S ON THE AGENDA: The 2026 Summit will center on the theme “The Protein Moment,” examining how protein-first eating trends, clean-label consumer preferences, and the rise of GLP-1 drugs are reshaping demand for chicken. The conference features 1.5 days of presentations, two evening receptions, and multiple networking opportunities. Confirmed speakers include Kevin Ryan of Malachite Strategy and Research on the GLP-1/high-protein consumer opportunity; Christine McCracken of Rabobank on forces reshaping the broiler industry; Erkin Peksoz of Circana presenting the annual Consumer Chicken Consumption Survey results; and Maeve Webster of Menu Matters on QSR innovation trends, among others.
BONUS INCENTIVE: Registrants before May 31 are automatically entered for a chance to win access to the VIP Hospitality Suite at the 2027 Valspar Championship, also held at Innisbrook Resort. The winner will be announced at the Summit in July.
WHAT’S NEXT: The early bird rate expires May 31. Retail grocery and foodservice executives qualify for complimentary registration with a refundable $150 deposit. The hotel room block at the group rate of $169 per night closes July 7. Register at cvent.me/OyKow8.
U.S. total broiler slaughter data for the week ending May 9, 2026, is estimated by USDA’s Poultry Market News Service to be 171,765,000 broilers, a 2-percent increase from the same week a year earlier.
The 2-percent increase in slaughter compares with a 2-percent increase in eggs set in the United States, 10 weeks earlier, and a 2-percent increase in chicks placed 7 weeks earlier in the United States. USDA’s latest Broiler Hatchery report can be viewed here.
| U.S. Eggs Set, Chicks Placed, Broiler Slaughter Report | ||||||||||
| Week ending | Eggs set | Chicks placed | Eggs set | Chicks placed | Broilers slaughtered | |||||
| change from | change from | 10 weeks previous | 7 weeks previous | |||||||
| 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | ||||||
| -000- | % | -000- | % | -000- | % | -000- | % | -000- | % | |
| Apr | ||||||||||
| 4* | 253,609 | 102 | 196,663 | 103 |
253,842 | 102 | 195,378 | 102 | 168,174 | 100 |
| 11 | 256,827 | 103 | 197,285 | 103 |
251,111 | 101 | 192,408 | 101 | 171,173 | 102 |
| 18 | 256,874 | 102 | 198,480 | 104 |
254,036 | 102 | 193,098 | 101 | 168,744 | 103 |
| 25 | 256,883 | 103 | 195,753 | 102 |
254,580 | 102 | 195,286 | 102 | 170,854 | 103 |
| May | ||||||||||
| 2 | 256,513 | 102 | 198,806 | 104 |
254,948 | 102 | 196,241 | 102 | 171,230 | 103 |
| 9 | 256,679 | 103 | 198,516 | 102 |
254,423 | 102 | 196,001 | 102 | 171,765 | 102 |
| 16 | — | — | — | — |
253,644 | 102 | 195,765 | 102 | — | — |
*Easter Holiday Weekend
