Consumer demand for fresh chicken at retail grocery stores was strong for much of 2024, and suppliers and marketers forecast the same for 2025.

Over the past 12-18 months, Wayne-Sanderson Farms has observed seasonal demand trends that have aligned more closely with historical patterns, said Drew Cole, the company’s vice president of retail sales.

Wayne-Sanderson is confident that demand will remain robust this year.

“Our position in the market continues to be influenced by factors such as competing proteins, inflationary pressures, and other market dynamics, but overall, we’re well-positioned to meet the anticipated consumer demand for our products,” Cole said. “We’re confident that our operations will support this growth, especially with the ongoing trends that favor more affordable protein choices.”

Wayne-Sanderson has enjoyed growth across most of its core fresh chicken cuts year-over-year, he added.

One notable trend the company is tracking closely is the shift towards more affordable cuts and larger tray sizes, particularly among price-conscious consumers.

“With chicken being a relatively economical option compared to other animal proteins, we’ve observed an increased preference for more dark meat and value cuts, likely due to rising inflation and consumer efforts to stretch their food dollars.”

In response, Wayne-Sanderson has prioritized harvesting and packing these preferred cuts in the most efficient ways possible, ensuring the company delivers the best value to its customers.

Wayne-Sanderson recently announced the planned retirement of Clint Rivers, its CEO, and announced that Kevin McDaniel, its COO, will become CEO.

Under McDaniel’s leadership, the company looks forward to continued growth and innovation as it navigates the evolving landscape of the food industry, Cole said.

To keep up with one of those prominent evolutions, Wayne-Sanderson Farms is committed to providing a range of sustainable packaging options for its fresh products. “We continue to explore the latest advancements in packaging technology to help reduce our environmental footprint,” Cole said. “And we’ve set ambitious sustainability goals that guide our efforts in sourcing, production, and packaging. We’re always looking for ways to improve and will continue to innovate in this space to meet the needs of our customers and to do what’s best for our planet.”