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

PRODUCTION: Commercial lamb and mutton production increased 4 percent 

in September, to 14 million pounds, 25 percent over the September 2017 level. 

Commercial sheep and lamb slaughter in September totaled 172,700 head, a 

16 percent decline for the month and 2 percent under 2017. The average 

sheep and lamb live weight was up a percent to 132, 3 pounds over September

2017. The average dressed lamb carcass weight, at 69 pounds, was up one

pound from August and 3 pounds over last year. Stocks of lamb and mutton 

in cold storage in September, at 40.5 million pounds, was 3 percent above the 

August level and 29 percent over stocks in September 2017. 

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

USDA in October increased 5 percent from September but was down 12

percent from 2017. The share of lambs qualifying for the Choice grade

increased 4 percent to 94 percent. Overall, lamb yields in October reversed 

trend and shifted towards leaner lambs with a 5 percent rise in YG 2. This 

trend was most pronounced in the Upper Midwest with a 19 percent rise in YG 

2 lambs as YG 4-5 lambs dropped sharply in number. Despite this trend, lamb 

yield grading in October was running slightly towards more finished lambs than 

October 2017. Northwest lambs saw a similar trend. The Rocky Mountain 

region continues to outpace all other lamb regions for the number of lambs 

graded. The number of lambs offered for grading in the Ohio Valley nearly 

doubled following monthly declines from July. 

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

YG1 YG2 YG3 YG4 YG5

Regional Choice Lamb by Yield Grade - October 2018

Northwest

Rocky Mntn

Upper Midwest

Ohio Valley

Lamb Markets Overview

A monthly publication of the USDA AMS Livestock and Poultry Program, Agricultural Analytics Division November 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%

YG1 YG2 YG3 YG4 YG5

Choice Lamb by Yield Grade % - October 2018

18-Oct

18-Sep

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

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

basis in October increased 15 percent from September, only 7 percent below 

October 2017. Prices were up and down through the month and finished down 

2 percent (from $139.83 to $137.12 per cwt.), 5 percent below the level 

producers realized in October 2017. In auction trading, the average price for 

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

rose one percent (from $128.90 to $129.60 per cwt), 2 percent below 2017. In 

San Angelo, TX, the average price of Choice and Prime 2-3 wooled and shorn 

non-traditional slaughter lambs decreased 9 percent (from $115.36 to $105.25

per cwt.) for the month, down 18 percent from last year. At the New Holland, 

PA, sale, the average price for Choice and Prime 2-3 wooled and shorn nontraditional slaughter lambs in October was down one percent (from $150.79

to $149.31 per cwt.), one percent over the October 2017 monthly average.

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

carcasses and cuts continued to decline through September, down 28 percent 

on the month and 17 percent under September 2017. Imports of both fresh 

and of frozen lamb were down with fresh down 13 percent and frozen down 

39 percent for the month. The balance between fresh and frozen shifted 

sharply with fresh gaining 9 percentage points to gain a 52/48 percent 

advantage. Australia led all source nations with 74 percent of lamb imports

but down 22 percent from the volume shipped in August. Imports from 

Iceland tripled for the month and continued to be primarily in the form of fresh 

legs. Imports from Uruguay returned in September with all categories 

represented. 

Imports of whole and half lamb carcasses, virtually all in frozen form, dropped 

28 percent in September, and representing a 17 percent decrease from 

imported volume in 2017. Leg of lamb importsrose sharply from August, rising 

26 percent for the month and increasing share of lamb imports by 3 percent, 

accounting for 7 percent of all lamb imports. Shoulder cuts, fresh and frozen, 

imported during the month dropped 39 percent, down 30 percent from 2017, 

and lost a 2 percent share of imports, down to 12.5 percent. Import volume 

of loin cuts declined 10 percent for the month, 7 percent under 2017. Loins 

gained 3 percent of import volume share, accounting for 14 percent of all lamb 

imports. The volume of imported boneless lamb meat declined 36 percent, 

led by a 46 percent decline in frozen product and accounting for 28 percent of 

imports, down 4 percent in share. Imports of other bone-in lamb cuts, not 

identified, the largest category of imported lamb at 33 percent of all imported 

lamb, suffered a 20 percent decline for the month, 12 percent below the level 

of September 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

100

110

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

5

8

10

13

15

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 – November 2018

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

carcasses in October increased 10 percent from September, 5 percent below 

last year’s level. The gross lamb carcass cutout was about unchanged but firm 

(from $3.78 to $3.79 per pound), 4 percent below October 2017. The volume 

of negotiated wholesale trading of fresh and frozen domestic boxed lamb cuts 

in October increased 9 percent for the month, down 10 percent from last year. 

Negotiated trading of fresh cuts increased 9 percent in volume and accounted 

for 83 percent of total sales. The volume of frozen cut trading increased 26

percent for the month and accounted for 17 percent. 

In October, traded volume for most lamb cuts increased from September lows 

with only shoulders and loins posting slight declines. The volume of wholesale 

sales of fresh trotter-off legs rose 25 percent with a one percent rise in price 

(from $3.64 to $3.63 per pound). This volume was one percent above last 

year’s level and the average price was down 2 percent. Sales of medium 8-rib 

fresh racks rose in preparation for the coming holiday season, up 13 percent 

for the month and 9 percent from last year. The average price rose one

percent (from $8.60 to $8.64 per pound), same as last year. The volume of 

trimmed 4x4 loins trading decreased 2 percent and the average price rose one

percent (from $5.37 to $5.40 per pound), 10 percent under last year. 

Foreshank prices were up 4 percent (from $4.00 to $4.16 per pound), down 

one percent from last year. Trade volume was up sharply, rising 29 percent 

for the month but down 5 percent from last year’s trading. Square-cut 

shoulder prices decreased one percent (from $2.89 to $2.86 per pound) and 

sales volume declined one percent from the prior month’s movement, 38

percent behind 2017. Trading of ground lamb (80/20) gained 5 percent, down 

23 percent from 2017, while the average price was unchanged at $5.70 per 

pound from last month and last year. 

IMPORTED MEAT TRADE: The overall volume of negotiated sales imported 

boxed lamb cuts increased 13 in October, 4 percent below 2017. Sales of fresh 

product rose 13 percent for the month as did frozen cut sales as staging for the 

coming holiday demand season continues. Imports accounted for 72 percent 

of all boxed lamb cut sales in October, up one percent in share from 

September. 

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

decreased 3 percent. Fresh loins were the only lamb cut to post a gain in sales 

volume for the month, up 9 percent. All other fresh lamb cuts posted declines 

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

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$

6.5

7.0

7.5

8.0

8.5

9.0

9.5

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

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

dollars per pound

pounds in thousands

Rack, 8-Rib, Medium (204) volume v. price 2018 2017 2018$ 2017$
Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics Division (www.ams.usda.gov/services/market-research/aad) Lamb Markets Overview – November 2018

in sales volume, legs by 43 

percent after a very active 

September. Average prices for 

fresh cuts were missed with racks, 

legs, and foreshanks up 2-3 

percent. Prices for loins and 

shoulders declined slightly for the 

month.

Sales of frozen Australian cuts in 

October declined 4 percent in 

volume from the active pace of 

September. Sales volume of legs 

rose one percent but frozen 

foreshank sales were up 30 

percent. Sales of frozen Australian racks declined 29 percent while shoulder 

saw a 5 percent decline in volume. Average monthly prices for frozen 

imported lamb cuts were up across the board, led by a 6 percent rise in prices 

for racks and a 4 percent gain in shoulder cut prices. Leg and foreshanks prices 

were only just behind at 3 and 2 percent, respectively. The volume of sales of 

frozen rack cuts from New Zealand in October rose sharply, gaining 32 percent 

while the average price was unchanged for the month. 

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

both domestic and imported, fresh and frozen, was up one percent from the 

pace of September featuring and was 19 percent over the level of retail 

promotions in October 2017. Featuring of lamb rack cuts saw the largest 

increase in activity, up 12 percent in feature share while the average ad price 

declined 9 percent. Much of the gain in share was at the expense of loin cuts 

which experienced a 7 percent decline in ad share for the month but chop ad 

prices rose 6 percent on the reduced volume. Shoulder cut featuring declined 

4 percent in ad share despite a near doubling of activity for round-bone blade 

chops. The average ad price rose 2 percent for blade chops but round-bone 

chop ad prices declined 14 percent. Retail feature activity for leg cuts was up

slightly but maintained ad share. Boneless legs were the most offered but 

price levels dropped 7 percent. Legs are expected to dominate supermarket 

ads for lamb over the upcoming Nov-Dec holiday season. Retail feature 

activity for ground lamb and stew meat increased 2 percent in activity and the 

average ad price was up 2 percent. 

Oct. Negotiated Sales of Imported Lamb

(change in primal price and sales volume)

Fresh price lbs. price lbs.

racks 103 86 -- --

loins 98 109 -- --

legs 102 57 -- --

shoulders 99 95 -- --

foreshanks 103 97 -- --

Frozen

racks 106 71 100 132

legs 103 101 -- --

shoulders 104 95 -- --

foreshanks 102 130 -- --

Australia New Zealand

percent change

Oct 2018 28.3%

Oct 2018 71.7%

Sep 2018 28.6%

Sep 2018 71.4%

Oct 2017 25.9%

Oct 2017 74.1%

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)

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

9.0

10.0

11.0

12.0

13.0

14.0

15.0

16.0

17.0

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

feature activity (1,000's)

dollars per pound

Retail Featuring - Racks

18 activity 17 activity 18$ 17$

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

10.0

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

feature activity (1,000's)

dollars per pound

Retail Featuring - Boneless Legs

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

leg 6%

loin 27%

rack 14%

shoulder

42%

breast 0.2%

grnd/stew 9%

shank 2%

Octoberr Retail Feature Share

leg 6%

loin 34%

rack 2%

shoulder

45%

breast 0.5%

grnd/stew 9%

shank 4%

September Retail Feature Share

PRODUCTION: 1/ Sep 18 Aug 18 change DIRECT SLAUGHTER LAMB: Oct 18 Sep 18 change

Sheep Meat Production (lbs.)................... 14,000,000 13,400,000 104 CH/PR, wooled/shorn (head).............................. 13,100 11,400 115

Commercial Sheep Slaughter (head)......... 172,700 204,800 84 price ($/cwt)................... 137.12 139.83 98

Fed. Insp. Lamb Slaughter (head)............... 140,200 163,600 86 AUCTION SLAUGHTER LAMB:

Live Sheep Weight (lbs.).............................. 132 131 101 Sioux Falls, CH/PR, 2/3, 90-150 lb. (head)...... 3,166 4,248 75

Dressed Carcass Lamb Weight (lbs.)......... 69 68 101 price ($/cwt)................... 129.60 128.90 101

New Holland, CH/PR, 2/3, 90-150 lb. ($/cwt) 149.31 150.79 99

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

Lamb/Mutton in Storage (lbs.).................. 40,466,000 39,709,000 102 Shorn price ($/cwt)................... 105.25 115.36 91

Wooled price ($/cwt)................... 105.25 115.36 91

IMPORTS:

Total Fresh/Chilled (lbs.)........................... 5,442,104 6,231,579 87 LAMB CARCASS:

Total Frozen (lbs.)............................................. 5,006,251 8,216,178 61 National Lamb Carcass Sales (head)............... 10,401 9,443 110

Total (lbs.).........................................................10,448,356 14,447,757 72 Lamb Carcass Gross Cutout ($ per pound)...... 3.79 3.78 100

LAMB GRADED: Oct 18 Sep 18 change BOXED LAMB CUTS:

Choice (head)................................................ 79,108 72,399 109 Domestic Fresh Boxed Lamb Sales (lbs.)......... 3,941,448 3,625,687 109

Prime (head)................................................... 5,408 7,966 68 Imported Fresh Boxed Lamb Sales (lbs.)......... 3,964,090 3,494,395 113

(current month grading numbers are preliminary and subject to change) Imported Frozen Boxed Lamb Sales (lbs.)......... 8,081,757 7,150,649 113

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 – November 2018

Pasture and Range Condition: In October, pasture and range conditions improve in some areas 

of the country while deteriorating in other areas, notably in some of the key lamb grazing 

regions of the country, particularly the Northwest. During the month, pastures rated as “good” 

accounted for 37 percent of lamb grazing regions, down 3 percent from September, led by a 

decline in conditions in the Ohio Valley, specifically in Pennsylvania. Lamb range conditions 

described as “poor” increased 10 percent and accounted for 18 percent of pastures. While 

“very poor” conditions did not change overall, the percentage rating at this level in the 

Northwest increased 5 percent and continues to endure the least favorable pasture conditions 

across all lamb production regions. 

(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 October, the average estimated per pelt credit returned to producers 

were unchanged to lower for unshorn lamb pelts with Supreme class unshorn pelts with the 

largest decline. Credits for shorn pelts were largely lower across all classes with Premium pelts 

the only category without change. As with unshorn pellets, credits for Supreme class shorn 

pelts had the largest monthly decline. The share of unshorn pelts increased 10 percent in 

October, accounting for 63 percent of all pelts. 

Trading of domestic wool in October, both clean and greasy, went untested as trading is typically 

very limited as the market moves into the Autumn months. 

September

September

September

September

September

October

October

October

October

October

Northwest

Rocky Mountain

Upper Midwest

Ohio Valley

Lamb regions

% 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Range Condition - Good

September

September

September

September

September

October

October

October

October

October

Northwest

Rocky Mountain

Upper Midwest

Ohio Valley

Lamb regions

% 0 10 20 30 40

Range Condition - Very Poor

October Avg Lamb Pelt Credit Prices

credit change credit change

Supreme 2.08 -0.43 2.10 -0.40

Premium 0.38 0.00 0.38 0.00

Standard -0.80 -0.05 -1.15 -0.12

Fair -0.75 0.00 -1.63 -0.22

Mixed -1.00 0.00 -2.38 -0.34

Damaged -1.38 0.00 -2.38 -0.25

Consist % 63% 37%

Unshorn Shorn