Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics Division (www.ams.usda.gov/services/market-research/aad) Lamb Markets Overview –September 2018

note: report date aligned with release month starting this month.

PRODUCTION: Commercial lamb and mutton production in July, at 12.1

million pounds, was down 2 percent from June but was up 10 percent from 

July 2017. Commercial sheep and lamb slaughter in July totaled 178,900 head, 

unchanged on the month but up 7 over July 2017. The average sheep and lamb 

live weight declined 3 pounds to 135, 3 pounds more than July 2017. The 

average dressed lamb carcass weight, at 70 pounds, was down one pound from 

June but was 2 pounds over July 2017. Stocks of lamb and mutton in cold 

storage in July, at 41.5 million pounds, was 7 percent over June and 55 percent 

over stocks in July 2017. This volume represents the highest recorded for July 

dating back to 1915 when records were first kept. 

GRADING: The volume of lambs graded Choice and Prime by the USDA in 

August declined 5 percent from July, 15 percent from August 2017. The share

of lambs qualifying for the Choice grade gained 2 percent to 91 percent as 

lambs in the Northwest and Rockies saw a drop in Prime. Overall, lamb yields 

in August continued to trend leaner with a 4 percent shift from YG 4 and 5 

primarily distributed to a 4 percent gain in YG 2 lambs. The decline in leaner 

lambs was most pronounced in the Northwest with a 10 percent gain in YG 1 

and 2 lambs. This region struggled in August with poor to very poor range 

conditions. Lambs in the Rockies, where range conditions shifted down to a 

fair rating, had a similar shift to a lesser degree. Lambs in the Upper Midwest 

saw the least overall change in yield for the month. The number of lambs 

offered for grading in the Ohio Valley declined sharply during August.

 

Lamb Markets Overview

A monthly publication of the USDA AMS Livestock and Poultry Program, Agricultural Analytics Division September 2018 

 

 

10

11

12

13

14

15

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

millions of pounds

Commercial Lamb/Mutton Production

2018 2017 2016

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

millions of pounds

Lamb in Cold Storage 2018 2017 2016

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

YG1 YG2 YG3 YG4 YG5

Regional Choice Lamb by Yield Grade - August 2018

Northwest Rocky Mntn Upper Midwest Ohio Valley

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

YG1 YG2 YG3 YG4 YG5

Choice Lamb by Yield Grade % - August 2018

18-Aug 18-Jul 17-Aug
Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics Division (www.ams.usda.gov/services/market-research/aad) Lamb Markets Overview –September 2018

LIVE MARKETS: The volume of slaughter lambs trading on a direct negotiated 

basis in August bounced back after a sharp decline in July, up 49 percent but 

continues to trail 2017, down 34 percent from August 2017. Prices declined

through the month, down 8 percent (from $156.90 to $144.69 per cwt.) and 

down 15 percent from August 2017. In auction trading, the average price for 

traditional Choice & Prime 2-3, 90-150 lbs. slaughter lambs at Sioux Falls, SD, 

declined 12 percent in August (from $147.96 to $130.70 per cwt), 17 percent 

below August 2017. In San Angelo, TX, the average price of Choice and Prime 

2-3 wooled and shorn non-traditional slaughter lambs increased 3 percent 

(from $124.14 to $128.32 per cwt.) for the month but was 13 percent below 

last year. At the New Holland, PA, sale, the average price for Choice and Prime 

2-3 wooled and shorn non-traditional slaughter lambs in August declined 7

percent (from $174.08 to $161.82 per cwt.), 9 percent below the August 2017 

monthly average.

LAMB IMPORTS: The overall volume of fresh and frozen imported lamb 

carcasses and cuts in July grew sharply higher, increasing 18 percent on the 

month and 31 percent over July 2017. Most of this gain appeared to be stocks 

being staged for the anticipated fourth quarter demand period. Imports of 

both fresh and of frozen lamb were up with fresh up 13 percent and frozen 

increasing 22 percent for the month. The balance between fresh and frozen 

shifted 2 percentage points in favor of frozen (39/61 percent). Australia was 

the overwhelming source of lamb imports, accounting for 73 percent of all 

lamb imports and up 30 percent from the volume they shipped in June. This 

included a 45 percent increase in frozen lamb products with the remainder 

coming from Uruguay, Chile, and Canada.

Imports of whole and half lamb carcasses posted the largest percentage gain 

in July, up 54 percent from June, virtually all in frozen form. This represents a 

74 percent increase over import volumes in July 2017. Leg of lamb imports, 6 

percent of all lamb imports, saw the second largest import volume rise in July, 

up 36 percent for the month, 67 percent from last year. Shoulder cuts, fresh 

and frozen, imported in July had a 28 percent rise for the month but was down 

one percent from July 2017. Shoulders increased import share from 13 to 14 

percent during the month. Imports of loin cuts rose 20 percent for the month, 

73 percent in fresh form, implying immediate use as expected since loin chops 

are a popular lamb item for summer grilling. The volume of imports of boneless 

lamb meat posted a 17 percent increase in July, 37 percent from 2017, and 

accounted for 32 percent of all lamb cuts imported. Imports of other bone-in 

lamb cuts, not identified, posted the least increase in volume in July, up 9 

percent over June, 40 percent over July 2017. 

120

130

140

150

160

170

180

190

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

dollars per cwt

Negotiated Direct Slaughter Lambs (CH/PR wooled/shorn) 2018 2017 2016

120

130

140

150

160

170

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

dollars per cwt

San Angelo Auction Slaughter Lambs (CH/PR wooled/shorn) 2018 2017 2016

10

12

14

16

18

20

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

millions of pounds

Imported Lamb (fresh and frozen)

2018 2017 2016
Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics Division (www.ams.usda.gov/services/market-research/aad) Lamb Markets Overview –September 2018

DOMESTIC MEAT TRADE: The volume of trading of Choice and Prime, 1-4 lamb 

carcasses in August recovered from July’s declines, increasing 42 percent for 

the month and 16 percent over last year’s level. The gross lamb carcass cutout 

decreased 2 percent (from $3.82 to $3.76 per pound), 11 percent below 

August 2017. The volume of negotiated wholesale trading of fresh and frozen 

domestic boxed lamb cuts in August rose 32 percent from July, 24 percent over 

the prior year. Negotiated trading of fresh cuts were also up 32 percent in 

volume and accounted for 84 percent of total sales. The volume of frozen cut 

trading increased 48 percent for the month and accounted for 16 percent. 

In August, the volume of wholesale sales of fresh trotter-off legs rose 30

percent with a one percent gain in price (from $3.68 to $3.70 per pound). This 

volume was 21 percent over last year’s level and the average price was down 

8 percent. Sales of medium 8-rib fresh racks rose sharply, up 70 percent for 

the month and 60 percent over last year. The average price declined 5 percent 

(from $8.75 to $8.27 per pound); 9 percent below last year. The volume of 

trimmed 4x4 loins trading increased 31 percent as loin chops are a popular 

summer grilling item. The average price gained one percent (from $5.49 to 

$5.54 per pound), down 9 percent from last year. Foreshank prices gained 2 

percent (from $4.08 to $4.15 per pound), down 3 percent from last year. Trade 

volume increased 28 percent for the month, 16 percent over last year’s 

trading. Square-cut shoulder prices saw a one percent drop in price (from 

$2.84 to $2.79 per pound) but sales volume had a 47 percent increase on good 

summer interest. Trade volume for the month was 5 percent behind 2017. 

Trading of ground lamb (80/20) rose 29 percent, down 2 percent from 2017, 

while the average price gained one percent (from $5.66 to $5.70 per pound), 

3 percent below August 2017.

IMPORTED MEAT TRADE: The volume of negotiated sales imported boxed 

lamb cuts declined 21 percent in August, 3 percent over last year’s level. Sales 

of fresh product were down 16 percent for the month while frozen sales had 

a 24 percent decline. Imports accounted for 64 percent of all boxed lamb cut 

sales in August, down 11 in share from July. 

In August, the overall volume of sales of fresh Australian boxed lamb cuts 

decreased 28 percent, led by a 41 percent decline in the volume of fresh 

shoulder cuts. All cuts experienced a decline in sales volume with foreshanks 

seeing the least decline. Average prices for fresh Australian lamb primals were 

mixed with loins and racks up one and 2 percent, respectively, while remaining 

3.3

3.5

3.7

3.9

4.1

4.3

4.5

5

10

15

20

25

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

cutout dollars per pound

head in thousands

Lamb Carcass Sales vs. Lamb Cutout (CH & PR, 1-4)

2018 hd 2017 hd 2018$ 2017$

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

millions of pounds

Fresh Domestic Boxed Lamb Cut Movement 2018 2017

5.0

5.2

5.4

5.6

5.8

6.0

6.2

6.4

30

50

70

90

110

130

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

dollars per pound

pounds in thousands

Loins, Trimmed 4x4 (232) volume v. price 2018 2017 2018$ 2017$
Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics Division (www.ams.usda.gov/services/market-research/aad) Lamb Markets Overview –September 2018

primals had a one to 5 percent 

price decline in sales volume, led 

by leg cuts with shoulder cuts 

experiencing the least decline. 

Sales of frozen Australian cuts in 

August declined 23 percent in 

volume from July led by a 36 

percent decline in the volume of 

frozen shoulder cuts, similar to 

the trend for fresh shoulder cuts, 

as the peak marketing period for 

shoulder cuts passes. Sales of 

frozen Australian leg and rack cuts 

also declined ahead of the 

expected demand increase as the market moves into the fourth quarter. 

Average monthly prices for frozen imported lamb cuts were mixed with rack 

and shank price up while leg and should cut prices were slightly lower. The 

volume of sales of frozen rack cuts from New Zealand in August declined 25

percent while the average price rose 2 percent for the month. 

RETAIL MARKETING: Supermarket feature activity for lamb cuts in August, 

both domestic and imported, fresh and frozen, was unchanged from the pace 

of July featuring but was up 25 percent over the level of retail promotions in 

August 2017. Loin cuts led all primals as the most actively featured lamb cut 

at retail with 40 percent of ad share as the market reaches the peak demand 

period for lamb chops for outdoor grilling. Shoulder cuts, also popular for 

grilling, enjoyed 35 percent of ad share. Average ad prices for loin chops in 

August declined one percent from July and 2 percent from August 2017 levels. 

The pace of featuring increased 36 percent for the month. Prices on feature 

for blade shoulder chops declined 5 percent while those for round bone chops 

fell 18 percent. Feature activity for shoulder chops was down 3 percent from 

July. Retail feature activity for leg cuts rose 69 percent, led by a three-fold 

increase in the pace of advertising for boneless, butterflied leg cuts, a favorite 

for grilling. Retail feature activity for ground lamb and stew meat declined 

during the month with a 7 percent decrease in the average ad price. 

August Negotiated Sales of Imported Lamb

(change in primal price and sales volume)

Fresh price lbs. price lbs.

racks 102 78 -- --

loins 101 73 -- --

legs 95 71 -- --

shoulders 99 59 -- --

foreshanks 98 97 -- --

Frozen

racks 103 83 102 75

legs 99 84 -- --

shoulders 98 64 -- --

foreshanks 102 73 -- --

Australia New Zealand

percent change

Aug 2018 35.7%

Aug 2018 64.3%

Jul 2018 24.6%

Jul 2018 75.4%

Aug 2017 45.3%

Aug 2017 54.7%

domestic

imported

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 80.0%

Domestic vs. Imported Boxed Lamb Sales - share of fresh/frozen product sold)

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

5.0

5.3

5.5

5.8

6.0

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

feature activity (1,000's)

dollars per pound

Retail Featuring - Shoulder Blade Chops

18 activity 17 activity 18$ 17$

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

7.0

7.5

8.0

8.5

9.0

9.5

10.0

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

feature activity (1,000's)

dollars per pound

Retail Featuring - Bone-in Loin Chops

18 activity 17 activity 18$ 17$
Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics Division (www.ams.usda.gov/services/market-research/aad) Lamb Markets Overview –September 2018

leg 15%

loin 40%

rack 3%

shoulder

35% breast 0%

grnd/stew 5%

shank 2%

August Retail Feature Share

leg 11%

loin 29%

rack 6%

shoulder

37%

breast 2%

grnd/stew 11%

shank 4%

July Retail Feature Share

PRODUCTION: 1/ Jul 18 Jun 18 change DIRECT SLAUGHTER LAMB: Aug 18 Jul 18 change

Sheep Meat Production (lbs.)................... 12,100,000 12,300,000 98 CH/PR, wooled/shorn (head).............................. 14,600 9,800 149

Commercial Sheep Slaughter (head)......... 178,900 178,600 100 price ($/cwt)................... 144.69 156.90 92

Fed. Insp. Lamb Slaughter (head)............... 148,800 149,600 99 AUCTION SLAUGHTER LAMB:

Live Sheep Weight (lbs.).............................. 135 138 98 Sioux Falls, CH/PR, 2/3, 90-150 lb. (head)...... 6,229 2,010 310

Dressed Carcass Lamb Weight (lbs.)......... 70 71 99 price ($/cwt)................... 130.70 147.96 88

New Holland, CH/PR, 2/3, 90-150 lb. ($/cwt) 161.82 174.08 93

COLD STORAGE: San Angelo, CH/PR, 2/3, 90-150 lb.

Lamb/Mutton in Storage (lbs.)..................... 41,531,000 38,678,000 107 Shorn price ($/cwt)................... 128.32 124.14 103

Wooled price ($/cwt)................... 128.32 124.14 103

IMPORTS:

Total Fresh/Chilled (lbs.).............................. 7,514,227 6,642,961 113 LAMB CARCASS:

Total Frozen (lbs.).............................................11,706,532 9,578,853 122 National Lamb Carcass Sales (head)............... 12,823 9,026 142

Total (lbs.).........................................................19,220,759 16,221,814 118 Lamb Carcass Gross Cutout ($ per pound)...... 3.76 3.82 98

LAMB GRADED: Aug 18 Jul 18 change BOXED LAMB CUTS:

Choice (head)................................................ 67,498 69,246 97 Domestic Fresh Boxed Lamb Sales (lbs.)......... 4,948,460 3,744,875 132

Prime (head)................................................... 6,348 8,739 73 Imported Fresh Boxed Lamb Sales (lbs.)......... 3,750,823 4,460,676 84

Imported Frozen Boxed Lamb Sales (lbs.)......... 6,883,601 9,004,488 76

1/ - meat production, commercial slaughter, and live weight includes sheep and lamb; Fed. Insp' lamb slaughter and dressed weight are young lambs only. 

Quick Overview
Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics Division (www.ams.usda.gov/services/market-research/aad) Lamb Markets Overview –September 2018

Pasture and Range Condition: In August, pasture and range conditions over most of the key 

lamb grazing regions of the country gradually deteriorated in the summer heat. In July, pastures 

rated as “good” described 45 percent of lamb grazing regions. In August, “good” pasture 

conditions accounted for 36 percent, a 20 percent decline. This decline was distributed as 

increases in lower pasture ratings from “fair” down to “very poor”. Conditions across the Rocky 

Mountain and the Northwest states experienced the most decline in August with the Rockies 

seeing a 27 percent decline in the “good” rating while pastures in the Northwest had an 83 

percent increase in “very poor” conditions, led by a decline in pasture quality in Northern 

California and Oregon. Conditions in the Ohio Valley had the least decline in pasture conditions. 

(derived from the Weekly NASS Crop Progress reports issued April to November)

Regional Consists - Ohio Valley (MI, NY, OH, PA); Upper Midwest (IA, MN, WI); Rocky Mountain (CO, ID, MT, SD, UT, 

WY); Northwest (CA, OR, WA). Ratings based on percentages described as excellent, good, fair, poor, and very poor. 

Lamb Pelts/Wool: In August, the average estimated per pelt credit returned to producers 

declined for both unshorn and shorn lamb pelts. Both types experienced weekly declines as the 

month advanced. The average monthly consist in August was 53/47 percent in favor of unshorn 

lamb pelts. 

Trading of domestic wool in August totaled 254,000 pounds, 46 percent on a clean basis and 54 

percent on a greasy basis. No trading was reported in July for comparison but the level of 

August trading was 82 percent over that for the same time last year. 

August Average Lamb Pelt Credit Prices

credit change credit change

Supreme 2.85 -1.65 3.13 -1.16

Premium 0.60 -0.90 0.53 -0.01

Standard 0.00 -0.50 -0.80 -0.30

Fair -0.15 -0.40 -1.63 0.00

Mixed -0.40 -0.40 -2.38 0.00

Damaged -1.38 0.00 -2.38 0.00

Consist % 53% 47%

Unshorn Shorn

July

July

July

July

July

August

August

August

August

August

Northwest

Rocky Mountain

Upper Midwest

Ohio Valley

National

% 25 30 35 40 45 50 55

Range Condition - Good

July

July

July

July

July

August

August

August

August

August

Northwest

Rocky Mountain

Upper Midwest

Ohio Valley

National

% 0 5 10 15 20 25

Range Condition - Very Poor