There are roughly 100 million turkeys that live on farms across the United States. On Thanksgiving, we’re expected to eat 46 million of them.
Turkeys live pretty much everywhere in the United States, as you can see in this map below — which uses 2012 data from the USDA. (That’s the last time the agency conducted an agricultural census.)
But two states really lead the way in turkey production: Minnesota and North Carolina. Sarah Frostenson
Turkey is a staple on American dinner tables, especially during the holidays. As the world’s largest producer and exporter of turkey, the turkey industry plays an important role in the United States’ agriculture sector. But where exactly is turkey produced in such large quantities in America?
The top turkey producing states are Minnesota, North Carolina, Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri, Virginia, Iowa and California These states have the optimal conditions and infrastructure needed for mass-scale turkey farming From the climate to available land to processing facilities, these leading turkey states have cultivated the resources necessary to raise over 75% of the nation’s turkeys.
While we feast on turkey raised all over the country the majority of our birds can be traced back to just a few key states. Let’s take a closer look at America’s top turkey producing states and their contributions to our tasty Thanksgiving centerpieces.
Minnesota – The Turkey Capital
Minnesota leads the nation by a significant margin when it comes to turkey production. This Midwestern state raised over 40 million turkeys in 2021, comprising close to 19% of the total US supply. To put it into perspective – there are around 7 commercially raised turkeys for every person living in Minnesota!
With its cold winters and abundance of corn and soybeans to use as turkey feed, Minnesota provides an ideal climate and food source for raising turkeys. The state’s rolling countryside allows plenty of space to house massive turkey barns as well.
Turkeys are big business in Minnesota. Total turkey production was over 1 billion pounds in 2021, valued at around $858 million. Minnesota turkeys are processed by major companies like Jennie-O and Cargill into deli meats, sausages and other turkey products.
North Carolina – Consistent Top Producer
North Carolina consistently ranks number two in turkey production nationwide. The state raised 30 million turkeys in 2021, making up around 14% of the overall US supply. North Carolina’s annual turkey production totals over 1.17 billion pounds valued at $958 million.
The more mild climate in North Carolina allows turkeys to be raised year-round in large outdoor pens, rather than just inside temperature-controlled barns. This freer-range environment and longer growing period results in heavier turkeys on average than other top turkey states.
North Carolina’s turkey producers are located mainly in the southeastern part of the state. Prestage Farms and Butterball are two of the major processors for North Carolina-raised turkeys.
Arkansas – Turkey Country
While Arkansas comes in third for number of turkeys raised, it is still a major producer. The Natural State yielded 27 million turkeys in 2021, adding up to 12.5% of the domestic supply.
Arkansas provides the perfect landscape for turkey farming, with its gently rolling hills and abundant space ideal for large barns. Turkeys are often raised in the northwest region of the state where big processors like Cargill, Ozark Mountain Poultry and Cooper Farms operate. The state’s turkey production totaled 540 million pounds last year, valued at around $443 million.
Indiana – Big Bird State
Indiana comes in fourth for turkey production nationwide, putting out 20.5 million birds in 2021. Though fewer in quantity than the top three turkey states, Indiana turkeys were among the largest and heaviest on average. The state’s total turkey meat production amounted to 836 million pounds worth $687 million.
Indiana’sNealtonMillspurchases around 14 million turkeys annually from local farmers to produce turkey products sold in grocery stores. Butterball also runs a large turkey processing plant in northwestern Indiana. The state provides ample corn and soybeans to feed all those big birds!
Missouri – Major Midwestern Producer
Missouri rounds out the top five turkey producing states, yielding around 17 million birds in 2021. This accounted for almost 8% of the overall domestic turkey supply last year. Missouri turkeys added up to 553 million pounds worth $454 million.
With its expansive farmland, Missouri has the capacity to accommodate large-scale turkey barns and production facilities. Cargill is one of the major companies processing Missouri-raised turkeys into deli meats, sausages and other products.
Northwest Missouri near the Iowa border is the primary turkey producing region. However, birds are raised across the state from the Bootheel to just outside Kansas City.
Virginia – East Coast Turkey Hub
Virginia comes in sixth for turkey production nationwide. The state contributed 14.5 million turkeys in 2021, making up around 7% of the domestic supply. At 421 million pounds, Virginia’s turkey production totaled $345 million in value.
Most of Virginia’s commercial turkey farming takes place in the Shenandoah Valley. This region provides plenty of space for large barns plus easy access to abundant feed sources like corn, soybeans and small grains.
Virginia is home to a number of major turkey processing plants, including Butterball, Jennie-O, Pilgrim’s and Cargill. These companies distribute turkey products across Virginia, the East Coast and country.
Iowa – Top Turkey Weight
While Iowa ranks seventh for number of turkeys raised, their birds tend to be the heaviest on average. The state’s turkey production amounted to 512 million pounds in 2021 from around 12 million birds.
Iowa is an ideal place for turkey farming with its long stretches of corn and soybean fields. These crops provide a ready supply of feed. Plus the cold winters keep turkeys comfortable in climate-controlled barns.
Iowa turkeys go on to be processed by West Liberty Foods, quality assurance verifiedby Farmland Foods and sold nationwide under popular brands. Iowa’s central location also makes it easy to transport turkey products around the country.
California – West Coast Producer
California comes in at number eight, contributing nearly 7 million turkeys in 2021. The state’s specialized turkey farms are located mainly in the Central Valley which offers a hot, dry climate suited for raising the birds.
Despite fewer numbers, California’s total turkey production still amounted to 197 million pounds valued around $163 million. Foster Farms, headquartered in California, is one of the major turkey processors in the state.
So while California lags behind top turkey producers in quantity, it still contributes significantly to the domestic supply from its flocks out West.
Meeting Holiday Demand
As we gather with friends and family to eat turkey this holiday season, we can thank farmers in these top producing states for making such bountiful feasts possible. The geographic concentration of turkey farming allows processors to work closely with local growers in their region to meet nationwide demand.
With optimal land and conditions for raising turkeys, these key states will continue driving America’s turkey production into the future. Their contributions are crucial to providing the 50 million turkeys on tables across the country every Thanksgiving.
Alongside Minnesota and North Carolina, four other states are responsible for almost all turkey production in the US
The latest 2016 numbers from the USDA show that two-thirds of turkeys produced in the US hail from six states.
Minnesota leads the nation in turkey production, with 44 million turkeys. Next is North Carolina, with 33 million turkeys.
Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri, and Virginia round out the list, with each state contributing more than 15 million turkeys annually.
Overall, turkey production is up in 2016, which is good news. In 2015, American farmers suffered through the worst bout of avian flu in history. The epidemic killed nearly 50 million birds, many of which were chicken and turkeys. According to Fortune, the outbreak cost farmers nearly $191 million in lost revenue.
Turkey – A Country Profile
FAQ
What state is turkey largely produced in our country?
Where is the largest producer of turkey?
How much turkey does the U.S. produce?
Where does NC rank in turkey production?
Where are turkeys raised?
The United States is also the top turkey producer in the world. According to USDA statistics, American farmers raised 216.5 million turkeys last year, and the industry is valued at around $5.9 billion. But where exactly are these birds raised? According to the USDA, more than 75% of those birds hail from just eight states.
Where do turkeys live?
Turkeys live pretty much everywhere in the United States, as you can see in this map below — which uses 2012 data from the USDA. (That’s the last time the agency conducted an agricultural census.) But two states really lead the way in turkey production: Minnesota and North Carolina.
Which country produces the most turkeys in the world?
In terms of global turkey production, the United States ranks as the largest producer, followed by countries such as Brazil, the European Union, and Canada. The United States dominates the turkey market due to its substantial consumption levels and robust export market.
Where is turkey production reported?
Value of turkey production: Data are reported annually in the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Poultry-Production and Value report. U.S. turkey meat production (ready-to-cook weight): Data are reported on the USDA, ERS Livestock and Meat Domestic Data web page.