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 05-19

May 2019

EGGS

Production

Table egg production in March was 702 million dozen, 4 

percent above last March. Broiler-type hatching egg 

production in March was up 2 percent compared to 2018. 

There were 1.11 billion broiler-type hatching eggs produced. 

Egg-type hatching egg production was 90 million eggs, 7 

percent higher than last year. Shell eggs broken totaled 205 

million dozen during March, up 10 percent from March a year 

ago, and up 7 percent from the 191 million dozen broken in 

February.

The number of table-egg layers in the national flock on April 1 

was up 3 percent compared to 2018 at 341 million birds. 

Hatching egg layers for the table egg flock fell slightly over last 

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

increased slightly to 59 million birds. The number of pullets 

added during March for all types of egg production was down 

3 percent year-over-year at 28 million.

Price

In typical post-Easter fashion, shell egg prices declined sharply, 

losing 29 cents to close the month at 67 cents for one dozen 

Large Grade A eggs in the New York wholesale market, 49 

percent lower than 2018 when Easter was observed 3 weeks 

earlier. Breaking stock prices dropped 13 cents/dozen on more 

than adequate supplies to close at 27 cents/dozen, for a yearover-year loss of 65 percent.

International Trade

U.S. shell egg exports in March totaled 19 million dozen with a 

value of $40 million. This was an increase in volume of 59 

percent and a rise of 24 percent in value compared with 

February. It is also a gain in volume of 37 percent with value 

up 5 percent compared with March 2018. Egg product exports 

in March were valued at $12 million, 12 percent below 

February and down 6 percent from last year. Cumulative 

yearly exports of shell eggs and egg products are up 4 and 

down 25 percent in volume, respectively, and up 1 but down 

22 percent, respectively, in value. Mexico, Canada, Hong Kong, 

Brazil and Japan were the five largest importers of U.S. eggs 

and egg products in March.

TURKEY

Production

The United States produced 477 million pounds of turkey on a 

ready-to-cook basis in March. Daily production was down 1 

percent compared with February and down 2 percent 

compared with last March. Average dressed weights were up 

5 percent for the month and 2 percent for the year. Eggs in 

incubators on the first of April were up 2 percent from last 

year, and poult placements in the month of March were down 

5 percent, year-over-year.

As of March 31, total turkey stocks in cold storage were 1 

percent above the March 2018 level. Compared to February, 

total turkey stocks were 3 percent higher. Whole frozen birds 

were up 4 percent yearly, with hens up 4 percent and toms up 

slightly. White meat stocks were up 7 percent year-over-year, 

while dark meat stocks were up 1 percent.

Price

Whole frozen hens ended down 2 cents to 84 cents/lb., while 

whole frozen toms added 4 cents, also ended at 84 cents/lb., 

both 6 percent higher than last year. Boneless/skinless (B/S) 

breast prices added 3 cents to 207 cents/lb., 12 percent higher 

yearly. B/S thigh meat also rose 3 cents to 123 cents/lb., 6 

percent below 2018, and tom drumsticks closed at 65 cents/lb., 

steady in April and 6 percent lower than last year.

International Trade

In March, the United States exported 24 thousand metric tons 

of turkey products with a value of $51 million. This volume 

was 12 percent higher than February and the value was 13 

percent higher. Compared with March 2018, exports were 

down 4 percent in volume and 10 percent in value. Total 

2019 exports to date are lower than for the same period in 

2018 by 4 percent in volume and 8 percent in value. The top 

five destinations for exports of turkey in March were Mexico, 

Japan, Canada, Benin and South Africa.

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 3.41 billion pounds on a on a readyto-cook basis in March. Daily production was down 5 percent 

from February and up 5 percent from March 2018, with 

dressed weights 4 percent lower than February but 2 percent 

higher than March. For the four weeks ending April 30, eggs 

set were up 1.4 percent and chicks placed were up 1.7 percent 

compared with the same period last year.

Total stocks of chicken in cold storage on March 31 were 846 

million pounds, down 3 percent from the end of both February 

2019 and March 2018. Whole broilers remain high on a yearly 

basis (up 20 percent) but were down 3 percent monthly. 

Thighs in cold storage remain high, up 36 percent year-over 

year, and up 4 percent monthly, while drumstick supplies were 

up 40 percent yearly and 8 percent monthly. Breast and wing 

stocks continue on a downward path, respectively down 4 

and10 percent from 2018, and down 5 and 6 percent monthly. 

Leg quarters remain down 26 percent from last year and held 

steady on a monthly basis.

Price

Whole broiler prices added 5 cents/lb. to close the month at 

100 cents per pound, 8 percent below the 2018 price. 

Boneless/skinless (B/S) breast prices gained 3 cents to close 

the month at 127 cents/lb., down 4 percent from last year. Leg 

quarter prices added 1 cent to 43 cents/lb., 6 percent higher 

than in 2018. B/S thigh meat increased 2 cents to 119 

cents/lb., 3 percent more than 2018. Drumsticks closed at 36 

cents/lb., up 2 cents and 17 percent below last year. Wing 

prices varied slightly through the month but ended April down 

3 cents to 199 cents per pound, 37 percent greater than 2018.

International Trade

March exports of chicken and chicken products totaled 269 

thousand metric tons valued at $254 million. This is a decrease 

in volume of 8 percent but a 13 percent increase in value 

compared with February. Year-over-year, this represents a 3 

percent decrease in volume and an 11 percent decrease in 

value. Year-to-date exports of chicken are up 1 percent in 

volume but down 9 percent in value. In March, our five largest 

export destinations for chicken were Mexico, Canada, Taiwan, 

Cuba and Angola.

BEEF/VEAL

Production

With one less day of operation, March 2019 beef production, 

was 4 percent below last year, but up 7 percent monthly at 

2.12 billion pounds. Cattle slaughter numbers totaled 2.65 

million head, down 2 percent on a yearly basis, 8 percent 

higher monthly. The average live weight was down 19 pounds 

from last year, at 1,339 pounds. Beef production for the yearto-date is down 1 percent from 2018. Veal production in March 

2019 was 5.8 million pounds, up 5 percent on a yearly basis but 

down 6 percent monthly. Calf slaughter volume equaled 

48,500 head, 5 percent lower than both the year and the 

month before. The average live weight was 21 pounds lower 

than last year, at 219 pounds. Accumulated veal production 

was down slightly from last year.

Total beef in cold storage was down 3 percent compared with 

the end of February 2018, and down 5 percent compared with 

last March. Stocks of boneless beef were 6 percent lower 

monthly and down 1 percent yearly, while beef cuts were 

down 5 percent month-over-month and 3 percent year-overyear. Veal stocks in freezers lost 51 percent on a monthly basis 

and 78 percent yearly.

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) regained $1 in April, 

ending at $127 per cwt, 8 percent lower than the April 2018 

closing price. The beef cutout value gained $5, completing the 

month at $233 per cwt, 5 percent above last year. The 90 

percent lean boneless beef price added $3 to close at $221 per 

cwt, 1 percent above 2018. 50 percent lean trim prices added 

$8 per cwt to $90 per cwt, 4 percent below last year. Packerowned veal carcasses lost $1 t0 $309 per cwt, down slightly 

from 2018, while non-packer owned veal carcasses fell $3 to 

$303 per cwt, down slightly from 2018. The veal cutout 

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

year.

International Trade

Compared to 2018, March 2019 beef and veal exports 

(including variety meats) were down 4 percent to 108 

thousand MT while the export value lost 2 percent to $678 

million. The export volume and value were down by 13 and 16 

percent, respectively, from February. Total exports for 2019 

were 3 percent lower in volume, and 1 percent lower in value 

than 2018. South Korea, Japan and Mexico were our largest 

export markets in March 2018. Year-over-year beef import 

volumes for March were up 7 percent to 96 thousand MT and 

were up 10 percent in value to $551 million. Compared to 

February, beef import volume and value were up 25 and 29 

percent, respectively. Year-to-date beef imports are 3 percent 

higher relative to 2018, with value up 5 percent. 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 March was a monthly recordbreaking 2.30 billion pounds, up slightly from 2018 despite the 

loss of a production data, and 6 percent higher than February. 

Hog slaughter totaled 10.7 million head, up slightly from March 

2018 and up 6 percent monthly. The average live weight was 

up 1 pounds from last year, at 287 pounds. For 2019 so far, 

pork production was up 3 percent yearly.

March 2019 stocks of pork in cold storage were down 1 percent 

February and down slightly from last year. Ham inventories 

were down 19 percent month-over-month and 7 percent yearover-year. Belly inventories were up 9 percent monthly and 

down 1 percent from last year. Loin stocks added 9 percent to 

last month’s inventory and 6 percent for the year. Pork 

trimmings in freezers gained 9 percent monthly but 1 percent 

lower than last year.

Price

The negotiated carcass price for barrows and gilts rose $6 in 

April 2019, to end at $80 per cwt, 48 percent above 2018. The 

pork cutout value gained $5 through April, ending the month 

at $86 per cwt, up 35 percent from 2018. Trimmed, bone-in 

hams, 23-27 pounds prices held steady in April at $74 per cwt, 

35 percent above the 2018 price. Picnic meat combos, cushion 

out, jumped $24 in April, ending up at $99 per cwt, 47 percent 

more than the year before. Pork trim, 72 percent lean saw an 

increase of $14, ending the month at $86 per cwt, up 49 

percent from 2018. Pork belly primal values lost $2, closing at 

144 per cwt, 68 percent above 2018.

International Trade

Pork exports (including variety meats) in March 2019 were 

down 7 percent from 2018 to 207 thousand MT, and the value 

was down 15 percent at $493 million. Pork export volume and 

value gained 14 and 16 percent from February, respectively. 

The year-to-date volume of pork exports was down 6 percent 

and the value down 14 percent. The largest overseas markets 

for U.S. pork were Japan, Mexico and Canada. Compared to 

last year, March pork imports were 4 percent lower in volume 

at 41 thousand MT, and down 4 percent in value to $139 

million. Import volume and value were up from February by 11 

and 14 percent, respectively. Total imports for 2019 so far 

were 8 percent lower in volume and 10 percent lower in value. 

The countries of Canada, Poland and Italy imported the largest 

volumes of pork to the U.S. in March 2019.

LAMB

Production

March lamb and mutton production, at 13.0 million pounds, 

was 8 percent below the March 2018 production (with one less 

slaughter day) and 16 percent above February’s production. 

Sheep slaughter totaled 190,700 head, 5 percent below last 

year but up 13 percent monthly. The average live weight was 

137 pounds, down 3 pounds from March a year ago. Lamb and 

mutton production for the year so far was down 5 percent year 

over year. Lamb stocks remain 9 percent above the prior year 

but were down 12 percent monthly.

Price

The negotiated live slaughter lamb price jumped $6, at the 

start of April, then slowly added $2 to end the month at $153 

per cwt, up 3 percent from 2018. The lamb cutout gained $2 

through April, to $384 per cwt, 1 percent higher than in 2018. 

Leg of lamb, trotter-off prices added $4 to close at $371 per 

cwt, 4 percent below the April 2018 price. Boneless lamb 

shoulder prices lost $12 through the middle of April but 

regained and ended the month up $7 per cwt to $538, down 3 

percent from last year.

International Trade

March 2019 lamb exports fell 11 percent from the 2018 level 

to 173 MT and 7 percent in value to $1.3 million. Compared to 

February, export volume was 29 percent lower while the 

export value lost 14 percent. Total lamb export volume for 

2019 to date was 25 percent higher than 2018, at a value which 

was 19 percent higher. Mexico, The Bahamas and Netherlands 

Antilles were the largest export markets for U.S. lamb and 

mutton in March. Lamb imports in March 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 

February, 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 March 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. 

80

100

120

140

160

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

cents per pound

Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breast Prices

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

500

525

550

575

600

625

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

dollars per cwt

Weekly Boneless Lamb Shoulder Prices (208)

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

100

110

120

130

140

150

160

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

dollars per cwt

Weekly Boneless CC Pork Loin, Strap on

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

150

170

190

210

230

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

dollars per cwt

Fresh 85 Percent Lean Boneless Beef

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg
201

eggs per year

86

eggs per year

American’s love eggs in all 

forms and types. 

In 2019, per capita 

disappearance

of eggs is estimated at 287

including 201 in shell form 

and 86 in egg products form.

This marks a 13% increase 

over the last 20 years.

c

a

g

e

d

cage-free

As of May 2019, the U.S. table 

egg layer flock numbers 342 

million hens, 79% in caged 

systems and 21% in a cagefree environment (including 

5% organic).

In 2019, the U.S. layer flock 

produced 109.2 billion eggs, 

87% for human consumption 

(table eggs) and 13% for 

hatching. Iowa was #1 in 

table egg 

production 

with 17%. 

Jumbo

5%

30 oz/doz

Extra Large

14%

27 oz/doz

Large

62%

24 oz/doz

Medium

17%

21 oz doz

Small

2%

18 oz doz

Weight Classes for Consumer Shell Eggs - 2019 Distribution

Joseph Coyle of 

British Columbia 

invented the egg 

carton in 1911 – the 

Coyle Saftey Egg 

Carton

During the week of 

Jan 16, 2019, the U.S. 

egg-breaking 

industry broke 1.7

million cases of eggs 

(614 million eggs) 

the highest weekly 

total recorded. 

H.J. Keith founded 

the egg-breaking 

industry in the late 

1890’s in 

Minneapolis. 

In 2018, of the total eggs broken for edible 

products, 60% was used to make whole egg, 

24% to make whites, 12% to make yolk and 

4% was turned into dried egg. 

“A box without hinges, key, or lid, yet 

golden treasure inside is hid.” 

- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit 

Source: USDA Agricultural Analytics, NASS, ERS

USDA shell egg 

 grades provide 

 assurance that

 eggs meet

 standards for 

quality and sanitary 

processing.