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 12-18

December 2018

EGGS

Production

October table egg production totaled 670 million dozen, up 1 

percent from October 2017. On November 1, the number of 

birds in the table egg flock was 326 million, up 2 percent 

compared to a year earlier. Egg-type hatching egg production 

was 86.3 million eggs, up 19 percent from a year earlier. There 

were 1.10 billion broiler-type hatching eggs produced in 

October, up 1 percent from last year. The broiler-type laying 

flock on November 1 was 57.6 million hens, 1 percent above 

November 2017. Shell eggs broken totaled 211 million dozen 

during October, up 7 percent from October a year ago and up 

3 percent from the 204 million broken in September. Pullets 

for all egg-types added to flocks in October were up 10 percent 

year-over-year.

Price

The price of one dozen Grade A Large eggs in the New York 

wholesale market began the month at 124 cents/dozen and 

rose slowly through the month to 130 cents/dozen, 56 cents 

below the price in 2017. Breaking stock prices rose 14 cents in 

November to 74 cents/dozen. This is 23 cents below the price 

in 2017.

International Trade

Exports of shell eggs in October totaled 21 million dozen valued 

at $39 million. This was a decrease of 2 percent in volume and 

an increase of 22 percent in value compared with September 

and an increase of 17 percent in volume but a decrease of 1 

percent in value compared with October 2017. Through 

October 2018 exports were up 6 percent in volume and up 12 

percent in value compared with 2017. 

The U.S. exported $9 million in egg products in October, up 

slightly from September in value and 6 percent below the 

month before in volume. Value and volume were down 30 

percent and 42 percent, respectively compared to 2017. For 

the first nine months of 2018, the volume of egg products 

exports was 27 percent below the same period in 2017, and 

down 7 percent in value. Mexico, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan 

and Jamaica were the five largest importers of U.S. eggs and 

egg products in October.

TURKEY

Production

October turkey production totaled 573 million pounds on a on 

a ready-to-cook basis. For October, daily production was 13 

percent above September and up slightly from last October, 

with 4 additional slaughter days compared to September. 

Dressed weights were up 10 percent from September and 

down 1 percent from last year. Eggs in incubators totaled 30.3 

million on November 1, 6 percent more than in 2017, and 5 

percent more than October 1. Poults placed were up slightly 

from year-earlier levels and were up 8 percent from the month 

before, at 22 million net poults.

Total turkey holdings on October 31 were down 21 percent 

from October 2017 and down 4 percent from September. Total 

holdings of whole frozen birds were down 24 percent monthly 

and 2 percent yearly, while whole toms were down 3 percent 

and whole hens were down 1 percent compared with last 

October. Stocks of white meat were down 7 percent yearover-year, while stocks of dark meat were up 25 percent.

Price

Whole frozen hen prices were soft in the first half of 

November, but ended the month down by just 1 cent at 83 

cents/lb. Whole frozen toms added 1 cent, closing the month 

at 82 cents/lb. The hen price is 11 cents below the same time 

last year and 30 cents below the 2014 – 2016 average for the 

end of November. B/S breast meat prices ended November at 

210 cents/lb. in both 2017 and 2018. B/S thigh meat gained 4 

cents to end the month at 132 cents/lb. Tom drumsticks added 

6 cents to close November at 75 cents/lb.

International Trade

U.S. turkey exports in October totaled 30 thousand metric tons 

valued at $69 million. Exports in October were up 44 percent 

in volume and 47 percent in value compared with September 

and were up 3 percent in volume and 7 percent in value 

compared with last October. For the first nine months of the 

year, exports were down 1 percent in volume and up 3 percent 

in value compared with 2017. The top five destinations for 

exports of turkey in October were Mexico, Hong Kong, Japan, 

Canada and the Dominican Republic.

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

In October the United States produced 3.9 billion pounds of 

chicken on a on a ready-to-cook basis. Daily production in 

October was 6 percent below the revised September volume 

and down slightly from October 2017. The average live weight 

of young chickens was 6.32 pounds, up slightly from last year 

and September. 

Total stocks of chicken in cold storage on October 31 were 

down 2 percent compared with the end of September and up 

8 percent compared with October 2017. Whole 

broiler/roaster/fryer supplies were 17 percent below 

September and 14 percent below last year. Breasts and breast 

meat stocks were up 4 percent month-over-month and up 6 

percent year-over-year. Dark meat supplies were down 8 

percent on the month and 5 percent on the year, with leg 

quarter holdings down 13 percent from September and down 

25 percent from last October. Thighs and thigh meat stocks 

were down 1 percent month-over-month and up 31 percent 

year-over-year. Drumstick holdings were down 4 percent 

compared with September and up 76 percent compared with 

October 2017. Inventories of wings were down 7 percent on 

the month and up 38 percent on the year.

Price

The National composite price for whole broilers ended the 

month up 2 cents at 87 cents/lb. Boneless/skinless (B/S) breast 

prices fell 4 cents during the month to close at 84 cents/lb. Leg 

quarter prices fell 3 cents to 27 cents/lb. B/S thigh meat prices 

gained 1 cent to close at 117 cents/lb. Drumsticks lost 1 cent 

to 36 cents/lb. Wings added 2 cents to 148 cents/lb.

International Trade

The United States exported 304 thousand metric tons of 

chicken products in October with a value of $277 million. 

October’s export volume was up 16 percent from September 

and was up 13 percent in value. October exports were also 4 

percent higher in volume than October 2017, but 11 percent 

lower in value. Through October, exports for 2018 were up 4 

percent in volume and 2 percent in value compared with the 

same period in 2017. In October, our five largest export 

destinations for chicken were Mexico, Canada, Angola, The 

Philippines and Hong Kong.

BEEF/VEAL

Production

In October 2.43 billion pounds of beef were produced, up 5 

percent from October 2017 and up 13 percent from September 

(with 4 additional production days). Cattle slaughter totaled 

about 2.96 million head, up 6 percent from last October and up 

13 percent from September. The average live weight was up 2 

pounds from last year, at 1,366 pounds. Total beef production 

for the first ten months of 2018 grew 3 percent from last year. 

October veal production was up 13 percent from last year at 

7.2 million pounds, and up 20 percent from September. 53,800 

head of calves were slaughtered in September, roughly 

equivalent to 2017. The average live weight was down 18 

pounds from last year, at 232 pounds. Year-to-date veal 

production was 2 percent higher than in 2017.

Total beef in cold storage increased 2 percent from both 

September 2018 and October 2017. Boneless beef stocks 

increased 1 percent on a month-over-month basis and 2 

percent year-over-year. Frozen beef cut inventories fell 2 

percent from the month prior but rose 5 percent yearly. The 

volume of veal in cold storage was down 30 percent from 

September and down 22 percent from October 2017. 

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) gained $1 through 

November to close at $115 per cwt, 3 percent below the prior 

year value. In the first half of the month, the beef cutout lost 

$3 in November to close at $209 per cwt, 1 percent higher than 

2017. The 90 percent lean boneless beef wholesale price 

reversed course to add $6, 8 percent below the year before at 

$195 per cwt. The 50 percent lean trim price gained $14 in 

November rising to $69 per cwt, up 5 percent from last year. 

Nonpacker-owned veal carcass added $2 to end the month at 

$309 per cwt, while packer-owned veal carcasses, lost $1 and 

closed at $306 per cwt, 7 and 6 percent below 2017, 

respectively. The veal cutout average held steady at $395 per 

cwt, 7 percent below last year’s value.

International Trade

Compared to October 2017, beef and veal exports (including 

variety meats) increased 6 percent to 118 thousand MT, and 

the export value rose 10 percent to $727 million. The export 

volume and value were up 7 and 6 percent, respectively, from 

September. Cumulative beef exports were higher in volume by 

9 percent relative to 2017, and value was 17 percent higher. 

South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong were our largest export 

markets in October. Year-over-year beef import volumes were 

6 percent lower at 84 thousand MT, and 1 percent higher in 

value at $468 million. Compared to September, beef imports 

and value were 2 percent lower in volume and up 1 percent in 

value respectively. Year-to-date beef and veal imports were 

slightly lower while import values were up 7 percent from last 

year. Canada, Australia and Mexico were the largest sources of 

imported beef to the U.S.
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

October pork production totaled 2.45 billion pounds, a rise of 

13 percent from last year and 13 percent below September 

(with 4 additional production days). Total hog slaughter was 

11.57 million head, down 6 percent from last year and 20 

percent below the month before. The average live weight was 

the same as last year at 283 pounds. Accumulated pork 

production for January-October 2018 was 3 percent higher 

than last year. 

Frozen pork supplies at the end of October were 3 percent 

lower than in September, and down 5 percent from 2017. 

Stocks of pork bellies were down 12 percent monthly and 

down 17 percent from last year. Picnics in cold storage fell 6 

percent monthly and 2 percent yearly. Ham inventories were 

down 18 percent from September, and down 10 percent from 

last year. Rib holdings added 22 percent to the prior month 

and 7 percent to the yearly volume, while loin supplies rose 1 

percent from September and fell 8 percent below 2017. Pork 

trimmings in cold storage were 10 percent higher monthly and 

28 percent higher yearly.

Price

The negotiated carcass price for barrows and gilts continued its 

decent, losing $8, to close November at $50 per cwt, 15 

percent below 2017. The pork cutout value lost $6 through 

November, closing the month at $76 per cwt, down 13 percent 

from last year. Trimmed, bone-in hams, 23-27 pounds held 

mostly steady through the month, ending down $1 at $51 per 

cwt, 21 percent lower yearly. The picnic meat combos cushion 

out price dropped $14 in November, to $55 per cwt, 33 percent 

below 2017. Pork trim, 72 percent lean lost $5 to $47 per cwt, 

down 28 percent from 2017. Pork belly primals lost $28 to end 

at $111 per cwt, 22 percent above 2017.

International Trade

Pork exports in October (including variety meats) were down 2 

percent from 2017 at 203 thousand MT, and the value was 7 

percent lower at $500 million. Pork export volume was up 16 

percent from September and the value was up 13 percent. For 

2018 so far, pork exports are up from 2017 by 1 percent in 

volume and are down 1% in value. The largest overseas 

markets for U.S. pork were Japan, Mexico and Canada. 

Compared to 2017, the October pork import volume fell 13 

percent to 38 thousand MT, and value lost 8 percent to $138 

million. The volume of pork imports lost 3 percent relative to 

September, and the value was up 1 percent. Year-to-date pork 

import volume and value were down 5 and 7 percent, 

respectively. The countries of Canada, Italy and Poland 

imported the largest volumes of pork to the U.S.

LAMB

Production

October production of lamb and mutton was 13.1 million 

pounds, 9 percent higher than 2017, and up 15 percent from 

September (with 4 additional production days). Sheep 

slaughter was 199,800 head, up 9 percent from last year and 

up by 16 percent from September. The average live weight was 

up 2 pounds from 2017 at 131 pounds. Total 2018 commercial 

lamb and mutton production was 6 percent higher than 2017. 

Lamb and mutton stocks were 3 percent lower monthly but up 

24 percent year-over-year. 

Price

Negotiated live slaughter lamb prices lost $3 in November, 

closing the month at $133 per cwt, 1 percent above 2017. The 

lamb cutout value added $5 at $383, 1 percent below the value 

a year ago. Leg of lamb, trotter-off values gained $2 in 

November, to close at $370 per cwt, up 2 percent from 2017. 

The wholesale price of boneless square-cut lamb shoulders 

closed the month down $4 at $551 per cwt, 7 percent below 

last year.

International Trade

October lamb exports were up 21 percent from 2017 at 208 

MT, and up 27 percent in value to $1.1 million. Compared to 

September, export volume was up 73 percent and the value 

was up 64 percent. Year-to-date exports of lamb lost 13 

percent in volume and lost 2 percent in value over this period 

in 2017. Mexico, The Bahamas and Netherlands Antilles were 

the largest export markets for lamb and mutton. U.S. lamb 

imports in September were down 10 percent from 2017 at 7 

thousand MT, and the value was down 12 percent at $55 

million. The October import volume and value were down 12 

and 25 percent, respectively. 2018 total lamb imports were up 

9 percent in volume and 12 percent in value from last year. 

Australia, New Zealand and Iceland were the largest sources of 

imports.

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. 

80

100

120

140

160

180

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

cents per pound

Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breast Prices

2018 2017 2014-2016 avg

40

90

140

190

240

290

cents per dozen

New York shell egg price (Grade A Large - wholesale)

2018 2017 2014-2016 avg

100

115

130

145

160

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

dollars per cwt

Wkly Neg. Slaughter Cattle Prices

Live, FOB, All Beef Type Cattle, Steers and Heifers

2018 2017 2014-2016 avg

30

50

70

90

110

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

dollars per cwt

Weekly National Negotiated Barrow & Gilt Prices

2018 2017 2014-2016 avg
In 2017

27,400,000

real trees were 

sold in the U.S. 

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service 

developed Standards for Christmas Trees in 1989

Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics, NASS

The practice of placing Christmas trees in houses

started in Germany and the custom came to the 

U.S. in the early 1800’s with German Settlers.

The first suppler was Mark Carr of the Catskill 

Mountains who sold trees in New York City in 

1851 for $0.05 to $0.25 each.

In 1901, W. V. McGalliard planted 25,000 Norway 

spruce trees near Trenton, NJ – the first Christmas 

tree farm. He sold them for $1 each

The Frasier Fir originated in the 

Southern Appalachians.

The Leyland Cyprus is very popular 

in the Southeast.