Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics Division Page 1

Any opinions expressed represent those of the authors for the limited purpose of this newsletter and do not represent the official position of the Department. 

A monthly publication of the USDA AMS, Livestock and Poultry, Agricultural Analytics Division Volume 04-19

April 2019

EGGS

Production

Table egg production in February was 623 million dozen, 3 

percent above last February. Broiler-type hatching egg 

production in February was up 3 percent compared to 2018. 

There were 1.08 billion broiler-type hatching eggs produced. 

Egg-type hatching egg production was 80 million eggs, 8 

percent higher than last year. Shell eggs broken totaled 191 

million dozen during February, up 8 percent from February a 

year ago, and down 9 percent from the 211 million dozen 

broken in January.

The number of table-egg layers in the national flock on March 

1 was up 2 percent compared to 2018 at 336 million birds. 

Hatching egg layers for the table egg flock rose 2 percent over 

last year to 63 million birds, and the broiler-type hatching egg 

flock increased 2 percent to 59 million birds. The number of 

pullets added during February for all types of egg production 

was down 10 percent year-over-year at 26 million.

Price

Egg prices lost another 5 cents to close the month at 96 cents 

for one dozen Large Grade A eggs in the New York wholesale 

market, 66 percent lower than 2018. Breaking stock prices 

turned upward in mid-March adding 8 cents/dozen to close at 

40 cents/dozen, for a year-over-year loss of 70 percent.

International Trade

U.S. shell egg exports in February totaled 12 million dozen with 

a value of $33 million. This was a decline in volume of 11 

percent and a fall of 12 percent in value compared with 

January. It is also a loss in volume of 20 percent and a loss of 

13 percent in value compared with February 2018. Egg product 

exports in February were valued at $9 million, 12 percent 

below January and down 23 percent from last year. 

Cumulative yearly exports of shell eggs and egg products are 

11 and 28 percent lower in volume, respectively, and down 2 

and 29 percent, respectively, in value. Mexico, Canada, Brazil, 

Hong Kong and Japan were the five largest importers of U.S. 

eggs and egg products in February.

TURKEY

Production

The U.S. produced 458 million pounds of turkey on a ready-tocook basis in February. Daily production was down 10 percent 

compared with January and down slightly compared with last 

February. Average dressed weights were up 1 percent for both 

the month and the year. Eggs in incubators on the first of 

March were down 2 percent from last year, and poult 

placements in the month of February were down 3 percent, 

year-over-year.

As of February 28, total turkey stocks in cold storage were 6 

percent above the February 2018 level. Compared to January, 

total turkey stocks were 16 percent higher. Whole frozen birds 

were up 14 percent yearly, with hens up 25 percent and toms 

up 4 percent. White meat stocks were up 6 percent year-overyear, while dark meat stocks were up 12 percent.

Price

Whole frozen hens had a bumpy ride in March but ended up 1 

cent to 86 cents/lb., while whole frozen toms added 4 cents, 

also ending at 86 cents/lb., 17 percent and 8 percent, 

respectively, higher than last year. Boneless/skinless (B/S) 

breast prices lost 4 cents, falling to 204 cents/lb., 26 percent 

higher yearly. B/S thigh meat remained steady at 120 

cents/lb., 6 percent below 2018, and tom drumsticks closed at 

65 cents/lb., a loss in March of 1 cent, 6 percent lower than last 

year.

International Trade

In February, the United States exported 22 thousand metric 

tons of turkey products with a value of $42 million. This 

volume was 6 percent higher than January and the value was 

slightly higher. Compared with February 2018, exports were 

down 1 percent in volume and 6 percent in value. Total 2019 

exports to date are lower than for the same period in 2018 by 

4 percent in volume and 7 percent in value. The top five 

destinations for exports of turkey in February were Mexico, 

South Africa, Peru, Benin and Canada.

The Economic Landscape The Economic Landscape
Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics Division Page 2

Any opinions expressed represent those of the authors for the limited purpose of this newsletter and do not represent the official position of the Department. 

CHICKEN

Production

Chicken production totaled 3.26 billion pounds on a on a readyto-cook basis in February. Daily production was up 10 percent 

from January and up 14 percent from February 2018, with 

dressed weights 13 percent higher than both January and last 

February. For the four weeks ending March 30, eggs set were 

up 2 percent and chicks placed were up 1 percent compared 

with the same period last year.

Total stocks of chicken in cold storage on February 28 were 875 

million pounds, up 2 percent from the end of January but down 

3 percent from February 2018. The year-over-year increase 

was driven largely by whole broilers, up 38 percent yearly (and 

up 12 percent monthly); thighs, up 35 percent year-over year 

(up 10 percent monthly); and drumsticks, up 33 percent yearly 

(but down 3 percent monthly). Breasts and wings were both

down 8 percent from 2018, and down 1 and 4 percent, 

respectively, from the prior month. Leg quarters fell 25 percent 

compared to last year, but rose 7 percent compared with 

January.

Price

Whole broiler prices hit a low for 2019 in early March but 

turned around through the month, adding 7 cents/lb. to close 

the month at 95 cents per pound, 12 percent below the 2018 

price. Boneless/skinless (B/S) breast prices rose sharply in 

March, gaining 20 cents to close the month at 124 cents/lb., 

down 12 percent from last year. Leg quarter prices also saw 

gains through most of the month, up 8 cents to 42 cents/lb., 5 

percent higher than in 2018. B/S thigh meat remained steady 

at 117 cents/lb. through the entire month of March, 3 percent 

more than 2018. Drumsticks bounced between 33 and 36 

cents/lb., ending at 34 cents/lb., down 23 percent from year. 

Wing prices gained 24 cents to bring March to a close at 202 

cents per pound, 35 percent greater than 2018.

International Trade

J February exports of chicken and chicken products totaled 249 

thousand metric tons valued at $225 million. This is a decrease 

in volume of 5 percent and a 3 percent increase in value 

compared with January. Year-over-year, this represents a 1 

percent decrease in volume and an 11 percent decrease in 

value. Year-to-date exports of chicken are up 3 percent in 

volume but down 8 percent in value. In February, our five 

largest export destinations for chicken were Mexico, Canada, 

Taiwan, Cuba and Vietnam.

BEEF/VEAL

Production

February 2019 beef production added slightly to last year’s 

production, for a total of 1.99 billion pounds, but fell 14 

percent from the January 2019 output. Cattle slaughter 

numbers totaled 2.45 million head, up 3 percent on a yearly 

basis, but 11 percent lower monthly. The average live weight 

was down 13 pounds from last year, at 1,352 pounds. Veal 

production in February 2019 was 6.1 million pounds, up 5 

percent on a yearly basis but down 8 percent monthly. Calf 

slaughter volume equaled 48,500 head, 18 percent more than 

February 2018 but 10 percent below January. The average live 

weight was 23 pounds lower than last year, at 219 pounds.

Total beef in cold storage was down 6 percent compared with 

the end of January 2018, while up 4 percent compared with 

last February. Stocks of boneless beef were 6 percent lower 

monthly but up 8 percent on the year, while beef cuts were 

down 13 percent month-over-month and lost 34 percent yearover-year. Veal stocks in freezers lost 6 percent on a monthly 

basis but down 57 percent yearly.

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) fell $1 in March, 

ending at $126 per cwt, 4 percent lower than the March 2018 

closing price. The beef cutout value gained $8, completing the 

month at $228 per cwt, 3 percent above last year. The 90 

percent lean boneless beef price added $6 to close at $218 per 

cwt, even with 2018. 50 percent lean trim prices added $11 

per cwt to $82 per cwt, 1 percent below last year. Packerowned veal carcasses held steady at $310 per cwt, up slightly 

from 2018, while non-packer owned veal carcasses inched up 

$1 to $306 per cwt, up 2 percent from 2018. The veal cutout 

average remained at $395 per cwt, down 6 percent from last 

year.

International Trade

Compared to 2018, February 2019 beef and veal exports 

(including variety meats) were down 6 percent to 95 thousand 

MT while the export value lost 3 percent to $582 million. The 

export volume and value were both down by 9 percent from 

January. Total exports for 2019 were 3 percent lower in 

volume, but only slightly lower in value than 2018. South 

Korea, Japan and Mexico were our largest export markets in 

February 2018. Year-over-year beef import volumes for 

February were down 1 percent to 77 thousand MT and were 

up 1 percent in value to $426 million. Compared to January, 

beef import volume and value were both 16 percent lower. 

Year-to-date beef imports are down 10 percent relative to 

2018, with value 12 percent lower. Canada, Mexico and 

Australia were the largest importers of beef to the U.S. in the 

first month of 2019.
Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics Division Page 3

Any opinions expressed represent those of the authors for the limited purpose of this newsletter and do not represent the official position of the Department. 

PORK

Production

Pork production for the month of February was a monthly 

record-breaking 2.16 billion pounds, 5 percent above 2018 but 

8 percent lower than January. Hog slaughter totaled 10.1 

million head, 5 percent above February 2018 and 9 percent 

higher monthly. The average live weight was up 1 pounds from 

last year, at 287 pounds.

February 2019 stocks of pork in cold storage were up 9 percent 

compared with January and up 1 percent compared with last 

February. Ham inventories were up 13 percent month-overmonth and 4 percent year-over-year. Belly inventories were up 

slightly for the month and 10 percent for the year. Loin stocks 

added 11 percent compared with last month but were even 

with last year. Pork trimmings in freezers gained 9 percent 

monthly but were also steady with last year.

Price

The negotiated carcass price for barrows and gilts jumped $29 

in March 2019, to end at $74 per cwt, 34 percent above 2018. 

The pork cutout value gained $20 through March, ending the 

month at $81 per cwt, up 15 percent from 2018. Trimmed, 

bone-in hams, 23-27 pounds prices shot up $28 in March to 

$74 per cwt, 42 percent above the 2018 price. Picnic meat 

combos, cushion out, recouped the $26 lost in February, 

ending back at $75 per cwt, 15 percent more than the year 

before. Pork trim, 72 percent lean also saw an increase of $29, 

ending the month at $72 per cwt, up 22 percent from 2019. 

Pork belly primal values had the largest gain at $46, 44 percent 

more than 2018, with a close at $146 per cwt.

International Trade

Pork exports (including variety meats) in February 2019 were 

down 10 percent from 2018 to 181 thousand MT, and the value 

was down 18 percent at $426 million. Pork export volume and 

value fell 8 percent from January. The year-to-date volume of 

pork exports was down 5 percent and the value down 14 

percent. The largest overseas markets for U.S. pork were 

Japan, Mexico and Canada. Compared to last year, February 

pork imports were 10 percent lower in volume at 37 thousand 

MT, and down 16 percent in value at $121 million. Import 

volume and value were down from January by 3 and 6 percent, 

respectively. Total imports for 2019 so far were 10 percent 

lower in volume and 12 percent lower in value. The countries 

of Canada, Poland and Italy imported the largest volumes of 

pork to the U.S. in February 2019.

LAMB

Production

February lamb and mutton production, at 11.2 million pounds, 

was 5 percent below the February 2018 production and 10 

percent below the January 2019 production. Sheep slaughter 

totaled 169,300 head, 3 percent above last year but down 9 

percent monthly. The average live weight was 138 pounds, 

down 10 pounds from February a year ago. Lamb stocks grew 

26 percent from the prior year but fell 7 percent from the 

month before.

Price

The negotiated live slaughter lamb price increased $4, ending 

the month at $145 per cwt, slightly below the price in 2018. 

The lamb cutout rose $10 through March, to $382 per cwt, 3 

percent higher than in 2018. Leg of lamb, trotter-off prices 

added $5 to close at $36 per cwt, 1 percent above the March 

2018 price. Boneless lamb shoulder prices added $5 per cwt to 

$531, down 6 percent from last year.

International Trade

February 2019 lamb exports rose 18 percent from the 2018 

level to 244 MT and 31 percent in value to $1.5 million. 

Compared to January, export volume was 1 percent lower 

while the export value added 32 percent. Total lamb export 

volume for 2019 to date was 46 percent higher than 2018, at a 

value which was 38 percent higher. Mexico, Netherlands 

Antilles and The Bahamas were the largest export markets for 

U.S. lamb and mutton in February. Lamb imports in February 

2019 were down 24 percent from 2018 at 8 thousand MT, 

while the value of imports was up 4 percent to $74 million. 

Compared to January, the import volume and value fell 32 and 

33 percent, respectively. Cumulative imports were down 6 

percent although the value was up 24 percent. Australia, New 

Zealand and Mexico were the largest sources of lamb and 

mutton imports to the US in February 2019.

Questions, comments, or suggestions for articles? 

Contact Sherry.Wise@ams.usda.gov.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture 

(USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and 

employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs 

are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, 

religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, 

disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a 

public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior 

civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA 

(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines 

vary by program or incident.
Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics Division Page 4

Any opinions expressed represent those of the authors for the limited purpose of this newsletter and do not represent the official position of the Department. 

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

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

cents per pound

Weekly National Hen Turkey Prices, 8-16 lbs

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

320

340

360

380

400

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

dollars per cwt

Weekly Leg of Lamb, Trotter Off, Prices (233A)

2019 2018 avg 2015-2017

40

50

60

70

80

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

dollars per cwt

Ham, Bone-in, Trimmed 23-27#, Trim Spec 1

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

550

600

650

700

750

800

850

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

dollars per cwt

Rib, ribeye, lip-on, bn-in (109E 1)

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg
The 2018 Easter/Passover season 

accounted for 20% of annual lamb 

cut marketings or an estimated 

In 2018, the U.S. imported 273 

million lbs. of lamb and produced 

153 million lbs. for a total of

In 2018, LEG cuts were the most 

marketed cut for Easter/Passover, 

accounting for 58% of all lamb cuts 

In 2018, California and Colorado 

produced 25% of the nation’s 

market lambs, 

In 2018, the U.S. lamb 

crop totaled 

Easter/Passover is the most active 

marketing season for lamb when 

more lamb is consumed than at 

any other time of the year. 

Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics and NASS.