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 09-18

September 2018

EGGS

Production

Table egg production in July was 659 million dozen, 2 percent 

above last July. Broiler-type hatching egg production in July 

was up 2 percent compared to 2017. There were 1.1 billion 

broiler-type hatching eggs produced. Egg-type hatching egg 

production was 84 million eggs, 11 percent above last year. 

Shell eggs broken totaled 204 million dozen during July, up 6 

percent from July a year ago, but 1 percent below the 207 

million dozen broken in June.

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

1 was up 3 percent compared to 2017. Hatching egg layers for 

the table egg flock were up 4 percent compared with last year, 

and the broiler-type hatching egg flock was 2 percent above 

last year. The number of pullets added during July for all types 

of egg production was up 9 percent year-over-year.

Price

Table egg prices rallied modestly in early August before falling 

back late in the month. The price of one dozen Grade A Large 

eggs in the New York wholesale market began August at 109 

cents/dozen, rose as high as 126 cents/dozen, and then began 

to fall again, ending the month at 114 cents/dozen. The 

breaking stock market, in contrast was flat, remaining at 57 

cents/dozen the entire month of August.

International Trade

Exports of shell eggs in July totaled 15.1 million dozen valued 

at $34.3 million. This was an increase of 3 percent in volume 

and 4 percent in value compared with June and an increase of 

3 percent in volume and 17 percent in value compared with 

July 2017. Through July, 2018 exports were up 5 percent in 

volume and up 15 percent in volume compared with 2017.

The U.S. exported $10.1 million of egg products in July, 6 

percent above June but 11 percent below last July. For the first 

seven months of 2018, the value of egg products exports were

unchanged compared to the same period in 2017. Mexico, 

Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, and Brazil were the five largest 

importers of U.S. eggs and egg products in July.

TURKEY

Production

July turkey production totaled 483 million pounds on a on a 

ready-to-cook basis. July’s daily production was unchanged 

from June and down 1 percent from last July. Dressed weights 

were down 1 percent month-over-month and year-over-year. 

The data on production in the coming few months is mixed. 

The number of poults placed during July was up 4 percent 

compared with last year, but the number of eggs in incubators 

on August 1 was down 4 percent.

Total cold storage holdings of turkeys and turkey products on 

July 31 were 1 percent below levels last July. Stocks of whole 

birds were down 5 percent year-over-year, with stocks of 

whole hens down 15 percent and holdings of whole toms up 6 

percent. Inventories of white meat were down 4 percent from 

last July, while inventories of dark meat were up 33 percent.

Price

Whole turkey prices moved up slightly in September, but parts 

prices were largely unchanged. Frozen whole hens rose6 

percent to 83 cents/lb., while frozen whole toms rose 2 

percent to 82 cents/lb. Prices for boneless/skinless (B/S) 

breast meat 3 percent to 198 cents/lb., while B/S thigh meat 

fell1 percent to 129 cents/lb. and tom drumsticks were 

unchanged at 67 cents/lb.

International Trade

U.S. turkey exports in July totaled 21.3 thousand metric tons 

valued at $47.8 million. Exports in July were down 2 percent in 

volume and 5 percent in value compared with June and down 

10 percent in volume and unchanged in value compared with 

last July. For the first seven months of the year, exports were 

up 4 percent in volume and up 9 percent in value compared 

with 2017. The top five destinations for exports of turkey in 

July were Mexico, Japan, Canada, the Dominican Republic, and 

Hong Kong.

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 in July totaled 3.61 billion pounds on a on 

a ready-to-cook basis. Daily production in July was up 3 

percent compared to June and up 2 percent compared to July 

2017. Dressed weights were unchanged month-over-month 

and up 1 percent year-over-year. Production increases in the 

coming weeks should be modest, at best. For the four weeks 

ending September 1, eggs set in incubators and chicks placed 

were up less than 1 percent over the same period last year.

Total inventories of chicken in cold storage on July 31 were 1 

percent below the end of June, and 10 percent above the level 

of last July. Total holdings of broilers and broiler products were 

down 2 percent on the month and 1 percent on the year. 

Whole broiler supplies were up 7 percent from June, but 28 

percent below last July. Breasts and breast meat in cold

storage fell 6 percent compared with June and were 1 percent 

below July 2017. Overall holdings of dark meat were also 

down, 2 percent below June and 14 percent below last July. 

Leg quarter stocks were down 5 percent month-over-month 

and 35 percent year-over-year. Drumsticks were up less than 

1 percent from June but up 45 percent from last July, while 

thighs and thigh meat holdings were up 2 percent on the 

month and 38 percent on the year.

Price

Whole broiler prices fell sharply in August; the National

Composite price dropped 20 percent during the month to close 

at 83 cents/lb. White meat prices also fell. Boneless/skinless 

(B/S) breast meat dropped 12 percent to 107 cents/lb., while 

Grade A bone-in breasts fell 4 percent to 125 cents/lb. Dark 

meat prices were mixed. Leg quarter prices fell 7 percent to 29 

cents/lb., while B/S thigh meat rose 3 percent to 119 cents/lb.

and drumsticks also rose 3 percent to 42 cents/lb. Wing prices 

dropped 1 percent to 142 cents/lb.

International Trade

The United States exported 265 thousand metric tons of 

chicken products in July with a value of $266 million. July’s 

exports were 3 percent above June in volume and even in value 

and were 5 percent in volume above July 2017 but 2 percent 

below in value. Through July, 2018 exports were up 2 percent 

in volume and up 6 percent in value compared with the same 

period in 2017. In July, our five largest export destinations for 

chicken were Mexico, Canada, Angola, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

BEEF/VEAL

Production

In July 2.23 billion pounds of beef were produced, 6 percent 

above July 2017 but 3 percent below the June 2018 volume. 

Cattle slaughter totaled about 2.77 million head, up 6 percent 

from last July but down 4 percent monthly. The average live 

weight was down 3 pounds from last year, at 1,330 pounds. 

Total beef production for the first half of 2018 grew 4 percent 

from last year. July veal production was up 8 percent from last 

year, and up 5 percent from June at 6.1 million pounds. In June, 

47,800 head of calves were slaughtered, a 22 percent increase 

from 2017 and 6 percent higher monthly. The average live 

weight was down 27 pounds from last year, at 223 pounds. 

Year-to-date veal production was 1 percent higher than in 

2017. 

Total beef in cold storage increased 8 percent from June and 

12 percent from the volume one year ago. Boneless beef 

stocks increased 9 percent on a month-over-month basis and 

were 12 percent higher year-over-year. Both total beef and 

boneless beef reached record high levels for the month of July. 

Beef cut supplies in freezers lost 3 percent monthly but were 

19 percent higher than in July 2017. The volume of veal in cold 

storage was up 21 percent from June and up 11 percent from 

the prior year inventory to a new record high.

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) began August at the 

relatively low of level $113 per cwt, and continued a slow but 

steady decline through the month, closing at $107 per cwt, 2 

percent higher than last year. The beef cutout value added $7 

to $212 per cwt, up 11 percent from 2017, while the 90 percent 

lean boneless beef wholesale price steadily lost $7 to $210 per 

cwt, 9 percent below the year before. The 50 percent lean trim 

price rose in the first half of August hitting a peak of $92 per 

cwt, but turned down sharply to end with a net loss for the 

month of $4 at $69 per cwt, 28 percent higher than last year. 

Non packer-owned veal carcass and packer-owned veal carcass 

prices both ended the month at $305 per cwt, 3 and 4 percent 

below 2017, respectively. The veal cutout average lost $7 to 

$413 per cwt, slightly above last year’s value.

International Trade

Compared to July 2017, beef and veal exports (including variety 

meats) increased 12 percent to 117 thousand MT, and the 

export value rose 16 percent to $722 million. The export 

volume and value were both up 1 percent from June. 

Cumulative beef exports were higher in volume by 10 percent 

relative to 2017, and value was 20 percent higher. Japan, South 

Korea and Canada were our largest export markets in July. 

Year-over-year beef import volumes were 3 percent lower at 

104 thousand MT, and up 2 percent in value to $561 million. 

Compared to June, beef imports were up 1 percent but value 

was down slightly. Year-to-date beef and veal imports were up 

lessthan 1 percent and import values were up 10 percent from 

last year. Australia, Canada and New Zealand 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

July pork production totaled 1.99 billion pounds, an increase of 

6 percent over last year and down 1 percent from June. Total 

hog slaughter was 9.60 million head, up 6 percent from last 

year and slightly below the month before. The average live 

weight was steady with last year at 277 pounds. Accumulated 

pork production for January-July 2018 was 4 percent higher 

than last year, and hit a record high for the month of July. 

Frozen pork supplies at the end of July were 2 percent higher 

on a month-to-month basis, but were 1 percent lower than in 

2017. Pork belly freezer inventories were down 28 percent 

monthly but were up 119 percent from last year. Picnic 

supplies added 12 percent to the June volume and 23 percent 

to the storage level in 2017. Ham inventories were 12 percent 

higher than June, but lost 15 percent from last year. Rib 

holdings were down 6 percent from the previous month but 

gained 8 percent on a yearly basis. Loin supplies fell 13 percent 

from June and 18 percent from 2017. Pork trimmings in cold 

storage lost 12 percent monthly but rose 33 percent yearly.

Price

The negotiated carcass price for barrows and gilts more than 

doubled the losses seen in July, shedding $28 to $37 per cwt, 

42 percent below 2017. The pork cutout value lost $12, ending 

the month at $66 per cwt, 22 percent below last year. 

Trimmed, bone-in hams, 23-27 pounds had some gains in early 

August, but fell to end the month with a net loss of $5 at $52 

per cwt, 28 percent lower yearly. The picnic meat combos, 

cushion out price saw a slow and steady erosion in value 

through August to close down $6 at $57 per cwt, 27 percent 

below 2017. Pork trim, 72 percent lean lost $11 to $42 per cwt, 

26 percent below the prior year. Pork belly primals were nearly 

cut in half in an unusually sharp seasonal drop of $73 to $75 

per cwt, 42 percent below 2017.

International Trade

Pork exports in July (including variety meats) were up 2 percent 

from 2017 at 172 thousand MT, but the value was 7 percent 

lower at $434 million. Pork export volume was 8 percent below 

June while the value was down 9 percent. For 2018 so far, pork 

exports are up from 2017 by 2 percent in volume and 2 percent 

in value. The largest overseas markets for U.S. pork were 

Japan, Mexico and Canada. Compared to 2017, July pork 

import volumes fell 7 percent to 39 thousand MT, and values 

lost 10 percent at $140 million. The volume of pork imports 

rose 3 percent relative to June, and the value was up 8 percent. 

Year-to-date pork import volume and value were down 1 and 

3 percent, respectively. The countries of Canada, Poland and 

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

LAMB

Production

July production of lamb and mutton was 12.1 million pounds, 

10 percent higher than 2017, but down 2 percent from June. 

Sheep slaughter was 178,900 head, up 7 percent from last year 

and 2 percent below last month. The average live weight was 

up 3 pounds from 2017 at 135 pounds. Total 2018 commercial 

lamb and mutton production was 6 percent higher than 2017. 

Lamb and mutton stocks were 7 percent higher monthly and 

55 percent greater year-over-year, also reaching record high 

volume for the month of July. 

Price

Negotiated live slaughter lamb prices continued to fall through 

August closing $17 to $134 per cwt, 22 percent less than in 

2017. However, the lamb cutout value gained $1 to $383, 8 

percent below the value a year ago. Leg of lamb, trotter-off 

values have remained mostly stable since March, and despite 

some variability through the month, the value of this cut 

remained at $370 per cwt at the end of August, 9 percent 

below 2017. The wholesale price of boneless square-cut lamb 

shoulders increased $13 to close the month at $547 per cwt, 

down 19 percent from last year.

International Trade

July lamb exports were up 67 percent from 2017 at 309 MT, 

and up 25 percent in value to $1.3 million. Compared to June, 

export volume was down 4 percent and the value was down 14 

percent. Year-to-date exports of lamb added 22 percent in 

volume and 10 percent in value over this period in 2017. 

Mexico, United Arab Emirates and The Bahamas were the 

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

in June were up 42 percent from 2017 at 11 thousand MT, and 

the value rose 44 percent to $98 million. The June import 

volume was up 16 percent from June and the value increased 

19 percent. 2018 total lamb imports were up 10 percent in 

volume and 18 percent in value from last year. Australia, New 

Zealand and Chile 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. 

24

26

28

30

32

34

36

38

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

cents per pound

Southern States Chicken Leg Quarters

2018 2017 2014-2016 avg

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

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

cents per pound

National Frozen Hen Turkeys

2018 2017 2014-2016 avg

180

200

220

240

260

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

dollars per cwt

Weekly Beef Cutout Values, Choice 600-900 Lbs.

2018 2017 2014-2016 avg

60

75

90

105

120

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

dollars per cwt

Weekly Pork Cutout Value 2018 2017 2014-2016 avg
September 2 is National “Grits for Breakfast” Day

In 1976, Jimmy 

Carter made grits 

cool. He and his 

running mate, 

Walter Mondale 

were known as 

“Grits & Fritz”

In 2003, then 

Georgia Governor 

Sonny Perdue 

proclaimed April 12

as “National Grits 

Festival Day” in 

Georgia.

In 2017, the U.S. milled an 

estimated 167,000,000 

pounds of grits, .5 pounds per 

capita. Close to 3⁄4 were 

consumed in the “grits belt”, 

an area stretching from Texas 

to Virginia. 

In 1976, Polly 

Holliday uttered this 

famous line as 

Florence Jean "Flo" 

Castleberry in the 

sitcom, “Alice”

In 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh was 

introduced to soft mashed 

corn by the native peoples in 

present day N. Carolina. In 

1607, the Jamestown settlers 

were served “rockahomine”

by the Powhatans. 

Grits are 

known as 

“Southern ice 

cream”. 

“A man full of 

grits is a man of 

peace” – SC 

Legislature 2000

Hominy is corn with 

the hull and germ 

removed. Ground 

hominy is grits which 

can be yellow or white. 

Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics; ERS; National Corn Growers Association

In 1967, a patent was 

filed for perfecting “an 

instant food product of 

the corn grits type” by 

Roy G. Hyldon, aka.

“quick grits”

The National 

Grits Festival is 

held in 

Warwick GA 

The World Grits 

Festival is held 

in St. George SC