As 2026 enters its final months, the US turkey industry has adapted to real pressure and made real progress. Producers, processors, and industry leaders navigated animal disease pressures, labor uncertainty, shifting trade dynamics, and regulatory changes. Despite these headwinds, the industry continued to adapt, innovate, and strengthen its long-term competitiveness.
Advancing a more comprehensive animal health strategy
As Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to challenge poultry production, the industry’s focus has increasingly shifted from crisis response to long-term preparedness. While biosecurity remains the foundation of disease prevention, producers recognize that no single tool can address a disease that has become a persistent global threat. Since the current outbreak began in 2022, more than 22.8 million turkeys have been lost, underscoring the need for additional solutions and sustained investment in animal health.
A key priority in 2026 has been advancing a comprehensive HPAI vaccination strategy. The industry at large continues to work with USDA, animal health experts, and policymakers to develop an approach that includes commercial turkeys, robust surveillance and testing protocols, and proactive engagement with trading partners. Any strategy must protect flock health while preserving export markets and confidence in US poultry products among trading partners and consumers.
The industry is also advocating for increased research and innovation, including:
- further vaccine development;
- more effective methods to differentiate infected from vaccinated birds;
- advanced biosecurity practices;
- improved wild bird mitigation; and
- stronger collaboration among government, academic, and industry partners.
At the same time, producers continue adapting to evolving USDA biosecurity audit requirements while supporting practical, risk-based policies that improve disease prevention without unfairly penalizing farms in high-risk areas.
Another significant challenge is Avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV), now detected in every turkey-producing state. Emergency authorization of imported vaccines has provided meaningful help to reduce mortality and improve flock health, but continued USDA support remains critical until domestic vaccine production reaches commercial scale.
Advancing science-based food safety
Food safety remains central to maintaining consumer confidence in turkey products. Following the withdrawal of USDA’s proposed Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recently released a new food safety strategy focused on reducing foodborne illness through science-based, practical solutions.
NTF supports USDA’s commitment to risk-based policymaking and continues advocating for food safety policies grounded in sound science, measurable public health outcomes and operational flexibility. Effective regulations should protect consumers while allowing processors to implement interventions tailored to their operations.
As discussions continue, NTF remains committed to generating research, collecting industry data and working with USDA, FSIS and other stakeholders to ensure food safety decisions reflect both scientific evidence and real-world production practices.
Addressing workforce needs
Labor shortages continue to challenge operations across the industry, particularly as many facilities rely on employees participating in Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and other employment authorization programs. Potential disruptions to these programs could create significant operational challenges and further tighten an already constrained labor market.
To address these concerns, NTF continues advocating for workforce reforms that expand access to year-round labor. Support for the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act remains a priority because it would help modernize agricultural workforce programs and better reflect the realities of today’s meat and poultry industry that ensure a stable workforce.
Strengthening trade opportunities
Global trade remains one of the industry’s greatest opportunities for growth. Mexico and Canada continue to serve as the foundation of US turkey exports, with Mexico accounting for more than three-quarters of all export volume. NTF supports preserving and strengthening the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) while advocating for improved access to the Canadian market through a dedicated turkey tariff-rate quota.
Beyond North America, the industry continues pursuing opportunities in Latin America, Peru, India and South Africa. Priorities include removing unjustified trade barriers, reducing remaining tariffs, and encouraging alignment with international animal health standards that support predictable market access.
Growing consumer demand
While addressing animal health, workforce and trade issues, the industry also remains focused on expanding consumer demand and strengthening turkey’s position in the protein category. Turkey continues to benefit from strong consumer recognition as a nutritious, lean and affordable protein. The challenge is encouraging consumers to view turkey as an everyday choice rather than a product primarily associated with holidays.
Throughout 2026, industry initiatives highlighted turkey’s versatility across meal occasions, cooking methods, and consumer demographics. Programs such as Turkey Smoke continue to introduce barbecue enthusiasts to turkey through cooking events, while Serve Turkey expands our digital engagement and short-form video content designed to reach younger audiences. Together, these efforts support a broader goal: positioning turkey as a versatile protein that competes alongside beef, pork and chicken in everyday meal planning.
Looking ahead to Thanksgiving and beyond
No event better illustrates turkey’s unique place in American culture than Thanksgiving. While the holiday remains the industry’s most visible moment each year, it also serves as a reminder of the strong connection between turkey producers and American families.
The National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation continues to provide a national, prominent platform to highlight the work of turkey farmers and processors while celebrating a tradition that has endured for generations. Beyond the ceremony itself, Thanksgiving remains a powerful opportunity to tell the industry’s story and reinforce turkey’s status as a centerpiece of family gatherings across the country.
From advancing HPAI vaccine discussions and expanding tools to combat aMPV, to strengthening export opportunities and elevating turkey’s profile among consumers, the industry spent the year laying the groundwork for future growth. As Thanksgiving approaches and the industry prepares for 2027, turkey remains uniquely positioned as a nutritious, versatile and affordable protein that continues to earn its place on tables across America, during the holidays and every day in between.