Alabama loses 165 jobs as factory layoffs rock fragile economy

Alabama has had a rough go of it in 2025, no doubt about it.

And unfortunately the job losses keep piling up as manufacturing jobs flee the state.

One recent victim? Phenix City, which recently lost 165 jobs when AlaTrade did a big wave of layoffs at the local poultry plant.

What’s even more perplexing is that the layoffs came in the wake of AlaTrade investing millions of dollars to launch a new production project for chicken paws at the plant.

Chicken paws aren’t really eaten much in the USA, but they’re popular in many international markets, including China.

Of course, this is all happening against the backdrop of the slowing US economy, reduced global demand for US exports, and the ongoing issues of labor shortages and inflation.

All combined, they’re reducing both sales and margins for food companies, and far too many are having to trim expenses to stay afloat.

This may be a national issue – or in the case of the trade war, international – but the impacts are local.

Let’s all join together in wishing these 165 hardworking Alabamans well as they embark on the next chapter of their careers.

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