Tyson Foods reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 sales of $13.65 billion, a 4.4% increase from the prior year, with gains led by its chicken business and market-share improvements in retail and foodservice channels. The company singled out chicken as the primary engine of momentum, and said the segment’s performance is driving overall sales growth in the quarter. $13.65 billion sales
Tyson said its chicken segment is on track to generate between $1.9 billion and $2.05 billion in adjusted segment operating income for the full fiscal year, making it the company’s highest-performing unit by a wide margin. “We delivered strong results in the second quarter, with our Chicken and Prepared Foods segments driving meaningful momentum,” said Donnie King, president and CEO. The company attributed the chicken gains to scale, execution and sustained consumer demand for protein.
For the first six months of fiscal 2026 Tyson reported total sales of $27.97 billion, up 4.8% year over year. GAAP operating income for the first half reached $737 million, an 8% increase from the prior year, while adjusted operating income declined 9% to $1.07 billion. Cash flow and capital moves in the half included $445 million returned to shareholders via dividends and share repurchases, and a $747 million reduction in total debt.
Profit drivers and outlook
The company’s protein-by-protein outlook underscores the swing toward poultry: Tyson projects pork will deliver $250 million to $300 million in adjusted operating income for the year, while beef is expected to post an operating loss of $350 million to $500 million. The USDA projects U.S. chicken production will increase roughly 2% in fiscal 2026, a supply-side backdrop that aligns with Tyson’s expanded chicken output and margin expectations. Management emphasized that chicken’s stronger margin profile is offsetting weakness in other proteins this fiscal year.
Tyson also reported first-half free cash flow of $432 million, up $50 million from the same period last year, and said it used part of that cash to return shareholder capital. The company noted operational improvements and working-capital reductions contributed to cash flow gains in the period, and that continued cash generation remains a priority alongside debt reduction and shareholder returns.
For the full fiscal year Tyson expects total sales growth of 2% to 4% and has set company-wide adjusted operating income guidance of $2.2–$2.4B guidance, with free cash flow forecast at $1.2 billion to $1.8 billion.
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