The state of Ohio produced an estimated 6.4 million turkeys in 2024, representing approximately 3.2% of U.S. birds raised for the market, according to an analysis by regulatory-compliance firm Trace One of data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Turkey production contributed about $153 million to Ohio’s economy in 2024, and the average bird in Ohio was 42.7 pounds, which is nearly ten pounds more than the national average, the study also reported.
In Ohio, the higher weight per turkey represents a shift toward commercial processing needs. While fewer birds are produced, each bird means more product.
Nationally, U.S. turkey production by weight declined to just over 6.5 billion pounds by 2024 after a high of about 7.9 billion pounds in 2008. The report also cited a downward trend in per-capita turkey production—from 26.8 pounds in 1996 to about 19.3 pounds in 2024.
The report indicates most of the turkey-raising in the U.S. is concentrated: more than 86% of total production occurs in just 13 states. Top producers include North Carolina (15.5% of output by weight) and Minnesota (14.0%), with Indiana, Arkansas and Iowa also major contributors.
Ohio ranked eighth overall in the study.
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