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, Poultry, and Seed, Agricultural Analytics Division Volume 02-18

February 2018

EGGS

Production

December table egg production totaled 661 million dozen, 

unchanged from December 2016. On January 1, the number 

of birds in the table egg flock was 321 million, up 1 percent 

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

was 80 million eggs, down 8 percent from a year ago. There 

were 1.06 billion broiler-type hatching eggs produced in 

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

flock on January 1 was 56.8 million hens, 5 percent above 

January 2017. Shell eggs broken totaled 189 million dozen 

during December 2017, down 3 percent from December a year 

ago but slightly above the 189 million broken in November. 

Pullets for all egg-types added to flocks in December were up 

1 percent year-over-year.

Price

Prices for table eggs surged in January, and one dozen Grade A 

Large eggs on the New York wholesale market. Overall, prices 

rose 52 cents (41 percent) and reached 186 cents/dozen the 

first week of February after faltering early in the month. This 

price matches the highest value of 2017, which was reached 

during the fall baking season. Prices for breaking stock were 

mixed during January. Prices began the month at 78 

cents/dozen and then fell, reaching 53 cents/dozen during the 

second week of the month. Breaking stock prices then 

reversed and reclaimed most of the lost ground by end of 

January, reaching 74 cents/dozen.

International Trade

The United States exported 12 million dozen shell eggs valued 

at $15.7 million in December. This was an increase of 29 

percent in volume and 35 percent in value compared with 

November and an increase of 4 percent in volume and 33 

percent in value compared with December 2016. Shell egg 

exports in 2017 were up 2 percent in volume and 5 percent in 

volume compared with 2016. Exports of egg products in 

December were valued at $12.9 million, 12 percent below 

November but 9 percent above last December. For the year, 

the value of egg exports was up 34 percent compared with 

2016 totals. The top five destinations for exports of shell eggs 

and egg products in December were Mexico, Canada, Japan, 

Hong Kong, and Jamaica

TURKEY

Production

The United States produced 458 million pounds of turkey on a 

on a ready-to-cook basis in December. Daily turkey production 

was down 6 percent year-over-year. The number of birds 

slaughtered was down even more, by 13 percent, but dressed 

weights increased by 8 percent, mitigating the decline. Expect 

to see lower production in the coming months: eggs in 

incubators on January 1 were down 4 percent and poults 

placed in December were down 10 percent compared with 

year-earlier values. Total turkey stocks in cold storage on 

December 31 were 12 percent above levels at the end of 

December 2016. This year-over-year increase, however, is 

down from November, when stocks were 22 percent above 

their year-earlier levels. Whole frozen birds continue to be 

responsible for the increase. Whole toms are 85 percent above 

2016 levels, while whole hens are up 16 percent. White meat 

stocks in cold storage were 2 percent above prior-year levels, 

while dark meat stocks were up 3 percent. 

Price

Whole turkey prices struggled to post gains in January. Frozen 

whole hens rose a half-cent during the month to close at 80 

cents/lb., whole frozen whole toms rose almost 3 percent and 

closed at 80 cents/lb. The price of boneless/skinless (B/S) 

breast meat was unchanged at 155 cents/lb., while B/S thigh 

prices rose 9 percent to 124 cents/lb. Tom drumsticks dropped 

3 percent to end January at 63 cents/lb.

International Trade

Exports of turkey products in December totaled 23.9 thousand 

metric tons valued at $52.2 million. Exports were down 7 

percent in volume and 8 percent in value compared with 

November and up 6 percent in volume and 1 percent in value 

compared with last December. Annual exports of turkey in 

2017 were up 9 percent in volume and up 2 percent in value 

compared with 2016. In December, our five largest export 

destinations were Mexico, Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, and the 

Dominican Republic.

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

Total U.S. chicken production in December was 3.32 billion 

pounds on a on a ready-to-cook basis. December’s daily 

production was up 2 percent compared to November and up 

nearly 5 percent compared with December 2016. Average 

dressed weights in December were unchanged from 

November but up 1 percent from last December. Production 

should be up modestly in the weeks ahead. For the four weeks 

ending January 27, both eggs set in incubators and chicks 

placed were up 2 percent year-over-year. Holdings of chicken 

in cold storage on December 31 were 1 percent below 

November, but 10 percent above December of 2016. The yearover-year increase was driven primarily in a large increase in 

the category of “other” chicken products; holdings of broiler 

products fell 4 percent. 

Whole broiler stocks were down 27 percent on the month and 

22 percent on the year. Breast meat supplies were up 2 

percent from November but down 1 percent from last 

December. Dark meat holdings were down 3 percent monthover-month and 4 percent year-over-year. Leg quarter stocks 

were down 8 percent from November and 18 percent from 

2016 levels. Wing inventories were down 3 percent on the 

month and down 5 percent on the year.

Price

Whole broiler prices ended January higher than the end of 

December but put in monthly highs early in the month. Weekly 

prices peaked at 96 cents/lb. the week ending January 12 but 

had fallen to 91 cents/lb. by month’s end. Parts prices were 

mostly up through the month. The price of boneless/skinless 

(B/S) breast meat rose a little more than 1 percent to close at 

107 cents/lb. The last week of January marked the first time 

that B/S breast meat averaged more than B/S thigh meat since 

mid-September. B/S thigh meat 3 percent during the month to 

104 cents/lb. Leg quarter prices rose 4 percent in January and 

reached 32 cents/lb. for the first time since October. 

Drumsticks were up 5 percent to close at 44 cents/lb. and 

wings rose 7 percent to close the month at 178 cents/lb.

International Trade

Total U.S. exports of chicken products in December were 259 

thousand metric tons with a value of $261 million. Compared 

with November, exports were down 1 percent in volume and 4 

percent in value; compared with December 2016, exports were 

down 5 percent in volume but up 8 percent in value. For the 

year, exports were up 2 percent In volume and 10 percent in 

value compared with 2016 totals. Mexico, Canada, Taiwan, 

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

chicken products in December

BEEF/VEAL

Production

December commercial beef production, at 2.15 billion pounds, 

was 1 percent below 2016, with one less production day, and 

was down 6 percent compared to November. Cattle slaughter 

totaled 2.58 million head, falling 1 percent from last December 

and 7 percent below the month before. The average live 

weight was down 2 pounds from the previous year, at 1,379 

pounds. January to December 2017 commercial beef 

production increased 4 percent from last year. Veal production 

was down 3 percent from last year, at 6.6 million pounds, but 

was 3 percent higher than the November output. Calf slaughter 

lost 5 percent compared to 2016, totaling 46,400 head, but was 

up 9 percent monthly. The average live weight was 245 

pounds, 5 pounds more than last year. Total 2017 veal 

production declined 1 percent from 2016. Cold storage beef at 

the end of December was up 1 percent from November, but 

down 14 percent from December 2016. Boneless beef stocks 

increased 1 percent from the month before but fell 15 percent 

from last year. Beef cuts in freezers were higher than the 

previous month by 3 percent and were 2 percent lower yearly. 

Frozen veal stocks were 4 percent higher month over month, 

and 13 percent higher on a yearly basis. 

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) fell briefly in midJanuary, but ended up by about $3 to $126 per cwt, 4 percent 

higher than the January 2017 closing price. The beef cutout 

also initially lost some value but ended higher, by $8 per cwt to 

$210 per cwt, up 4 percent from the year before. The 90 

percent lean boneless beef price saw a steady increase in 

January, rising $4 to $215 per cwt, 4 percent over 2017. The 50 

percent lean trim prices jumped $35 per cwt to $93 per cwt, 43 

percent above last year. Packer-owned veal carcasses fell $8 to 

$319 per cwt, while non-packer owned veal carcasses lost $9, 

ending at $321 per cwt, both down 2 percent from 2017. The 

veal cutout average continued to hold at $423 per cwt, down 9 

percent from last year.

International Trade

Compared to December 2016, beef and veal exports (including 

variety meats) fell 3 percent to 113 thousand MT though the 

export value increased 9 percent to $673 million. The export 

volume and value were both up 1 percent from November. 

Total 2017 exports were 6 percent higher than in 2016, and the 

value rose by 14 percent. Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea

were our largest export markets in December. Year-over-year 

beef import volumes were up 5 percent to 75 thousand MT and

were up 15 percent in value to $408 million. Compared to 

November, beef import volume and value were both 3 percent 

lower. Total import volumes in 2017 were slightly higher in 

volume but down slightly in value from 2016. Australia, Canada 

and Mexico were the largest importers of 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

December pork production was up 1 percent from 2016 to 2.23 

billion pounds, a record high for the month of December, 

despite having one less slaughter day. December production 

was down slightly from November. Hog slaughter was steady 

with last year at 10.5 million head but lost less than 1 percent 

on a monthly basis. The average live weight added 3 pounds 

year-over-year, to 286 pounds. Total pork production for 2017 

increased 3 percent from 2016. The total inventory of frozen 

pork was down 2 percent from the end of November, but up 3 

percent from last year. Picnic supplies were 13 percent lower 

than the preceding month, and 28 percent below 2016. Total 

hams in cold storage fell 17 percent month over month but

rose 18 percent yearly. Compared to November, total loin 

stocks were down 3 percent, rib stocks were 4 percent higher, 

and inventories of butts were 7 percent lower. On a year-overyear basis, loins and ribs were down 8 and 10 percent, 

respectively, while butts were up 33 percent. Pork trimmings 

in cold storage added 15 percent on a monthly basis, and 27 

percent yearly. Stocks of pork bellies were 13 percent higher 

than last month and up 121 percent from last year.

Price

The negotiated carcass price for barrows and gilts jumped in 

the first half of January but stabilized through the remainder, 

ending up $12 to $70 per cwt, 10 percent above 2017. The pork 

cutout value regained December’s loss of $6 closing back at 

$83 per cwt, 1 percent more than 2017. Trimmed, bone-in 

hams, 23-27 pounds shot up $16 in January to $72 per cwt, 18 

percent above the 2017 price. In contrast, picnic meat combos, 

cushion out, fell $11 to $80 per cwt, but remained 11 percent 

higher than the year before. Pork trim, 72 percent lean added 

$12, closing the month at $72 per cwt, up 15 percent from 

2017. Pork belly primal values had a strong start for the year, 

gaining $40 through the month to $149 per cwt, but remaining 

2 percent below last year.

International Trade

Pork exports in December (including variety meats) were down 

2 percent from 2016 to 213 thousand MT, but the value was 2 

percent higher at $560 million. Pork export volume fell 2 

percent from November, with value losing 5 percent. 

Cumulative 2017 export volume was up 6 percent and value up 

8 percent from last year. The largest overseas markets for U.S. 

pork were Japan, Mexico and Canada. December pork imports 

were down slightly in volume to 42 thousand MT but added 7 

percent in value to $141 million. Import volumes were 4 

percent lower and value fell 5 percent from November. Total 

yearly pork imports were up 2 percent in volume and 7 percent 

in value from 2016. The countries of Canada, Poland and Italy 

imported the largest volumes of pork to the U.S

LAMB

Production

December lamb and mutton production was down 2 percent 

from 2016 but up 3 percent from November 2017 at 12.8 

million pounds. Sheep slaughter totaled 188,100 head, 5 

percent above last year and up very slightly from the previous 

month. The average live weight was 136 pounds, gaining 3 

pounds from December 2016. Total commercial lamb 

production in 2017 fell 3 percent from 2016. Cold storage of 

lamb and mutton in December was down 8 percent from 

November but was up 2 percent from December 2016. 

Price

After some variation in January, negotiated live slaughter lamb 

prices regained $3 to $131 per cwt, 6 percent below 2017. The 

lamb cutout lost $16, ending at $363 cwt, but up 5 percent 

from 2017. Leg of lamb, trotter-off prices added $2 to close at 

$353 per cwt, 2 percent above the prior year’s price. Boneless 

lamb shoulder prices dropped $36 per cwt, to $566, still up 1 

percent from last year.

International Trade

December lamb exports fell 7 percent from 2016 levels at 228 

MT but increased 3 percent in value to $1.3 million. Compared 

to November, export volume lost 19 percent and the value lost 

12 percent. Total 2017 exports were up 7 percent in volume 

and 15 percent in value compared to 2016. Netherlands 

Antilles, Australia and Taiwan were the largest export markets 

of U.S. lamb and mutton. Lamb imports in December were up 

7 percent from 2016 at 8.1 thousand MT, and the value of 

imports was up 20 percent to $71 million. On a monthly basis, 

the import volume and value increased 10 percent. The total 

2017 import volume was 18 percent higher than in 2016, and 

the value was up 23 percent. Australia, New Zealand and 

Uruguay were the largest sources of imports.

Questions, comments, or suggestions for articles? Contact 

Lawrence.Haller@ams.usda.gov or 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. 

140

190

240

290

340

390

440

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

cents per pound

Tom Turkey Breast, Fresh Boneless/Skinless

2018 2017 2014-2016 avg

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

cents per dozen

New York Shell Egg (Grade A Large - wholesale)

2018 2017 2014-2016 avg

300

330

360

390

420

450

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

dollars per cwt

Weekly Lamb Cutout Value

2018 2017 2014-2016 avg

300

330

360

390

420

450

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

dollars per cwt.

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

2018 2017 avg 2014-2016
Rinds

Made from defatted pork skin cut into

“pellets” that are dried and rendered 

before being fried in oil where 

they expand. The

 finished product 

is puffy.

 Cracklings 

Made from pork skin with some fat left on.

Processed like rinds but the finished product is 

denser and crunchy. Originally, a byproduct of 

rendering lard.

 

In 2017, the U.S. processed enough 

hogs to produce 690,000,000

pounds of pork skins. 

Over 280,000,000 pounds 

were turned into pork rinds. Skin 

from shoulders and ham are most 

commonly used. 

To this

Pork Rind 

Heritage 

Festival, 

Harrod, OH, 

June 8-9, 2018

Pork Rinds are a 

popular treat 

around the 

world! 

“chicharrón”

Mexico

“flæskesvær”

Denmark

“scratchings”

UK

“scrunchions”

Canada

Pork rinds 

are thought to 

have originated in 

the West Midlands

of England during 

the Industrial 

Revolution in 

the 1800’s

From this...

Sales of pork rinds 

boomed in 1989 

when President 

George W. Bush 

said they were 

his favorite snack

Lima, Ohio 

is known 

as the “Pork 

Rind Capital 

of the World”

Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics; NASS