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 01-20

January 2020

EGGS

Production

Table egg production in November was down-1.5 percent from 

October at 693.5 million dozen, 3.7 percent above last year. 

Broiler-type hatching egg production was 1.09 billion 

produced, up 1.9 percent from 2018. In November, 87.9 

million egg-type hatching eggs were produced, 8 percent more 

than last year. Shell eggs broken totaled 193.1 million dozen 

during November 2019, down 2.4 percent from November a 

year ago, and 13 percent below the previous month. The 

number of table-egg layers in the national flock on December 

1 increased to 341 million birds, rising 1 percent from its values 

in both November 2019 and the previous December. Hatching 

egg layers for the table egg flock held at 3.6 million birds, 11 

percent over last December, and the broiler-type hatching egg 

flock rose to 58.9 million birds, up slightly from November 2019 

and 2 percent above its December 2018 level. The number of 

pullets added during November for all types of egg production 

was 28.4 million, rising 1 percent from the previous November. 

Price

Prices for a dozen Large Grade A eggs in the New York 

wholesale market fell 26 cents to an average of 118

cents/dozen, 18 percent below the November price and 11 

percent below the December 2018 level. Breaking stock prices 

fell 23 cents to 50 cents per dozen, 32 percent below the 

November price and 24 percent below its December 2018 

level. 

International Trade

U.S. table shell egg exports in November totaled 9.6 million 

dozen, down 45 percent from October and up 5 percent from 

November 2018. The export value was $9.7 million, 20 percent 

lower monthly but up 1 percent yearly. At 4.1 metric tons, the 

volume of egg products exported was up 4.1 percent from 

September and 50 percent above October 2018. Egg product 

exports in October were valued at $25.2 million, 5 percent 

above October and 14 percent above last year. Compared to 

2018, cumulative yearly exports of table egg are up 20 percent 

in volume but down 12 percent in value. Cumulative yearly egg 

product exports are up slightly in volume and down 3 percent 

in value. Top export destinations Canada, Mexico, and Hong 

Kong comprised 38, 35, and 16 percent of all fresh egg exports

in November.

TURKEY

Production

The U.S. produced 466 million pounds of turkey on a ready-tocook basis in October, down 14 percent monthly and 6 percent 

yearly. Total yearly turkey production is down 1.3 percent from 

2019. Turkey eggs in incubators on the first of October were 

down 4 percent monthly and 9 percent yearly at 25.8 million 

eggs. November poult placements fell 12 percent monthly and 

8 percent year-over-year, at 19 million.

Turkey in cold storage fell sharply in November. Total turkey 

stocks fell sharply with end-of-November levels being 42 

percent less than end-of-October levels and 17 percent less 

than 2018 end-of-November levels. Total whole frozen birds, 

hens, and toms were all down 35 to 36 from last year. Breast 

meat stocks were also 20 percent lower year-over-year, while 

leg meat stocks were down 37 percent.

Price

The price of whole frozen hens was 97 cents/lb., down 2 cents 

(or 2 percent) over the November 2019 price and 21 percent 

over December 2018 price. The whole frozen toms price was 

95 cents/lb., down 3 cents or 3 percent from October 2019 

price and up 24 percent from the December 2018 price. For 

individual cuts, the fresh tom boneless/skinless breast price 

was 193 cents/lb., down 5 percent on both a monthly and 

yearly basis. Fresh tom boneless/skinless thigh meat again was 

unchanged at 156 cents/lb., 20 percent higher than December 

2018. Fresh tom drumsticks fell a penny to end at 74 cents/lb., 

1 percent lower monthly and 5 percent higher yearly. 

International Trade

In November, the U.S. exported 27.4 thousand metric tons of 

turkey products with a value of $66.2 million. This volume was 

1.4 percent lower than October and the value was 6.4 percent 

higher. Compared with November 2018, exports were up 9 

percent in volume and 18 percent in value. Total 2019 exports 

to date outpaced 2018 by 9percent in volume and 6 percent in 

value. Mexico was the top export markets for U.S. turkey 

meat, comprising 62 percent of exports by volume. 

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

Production volume of young chicken fell 16 percent from 

October to 3.4 billion pounds on a ready-to-cook basis, down 1

percent yearly. For the year-to-date, young chicken meat 

production was up 2 percent. For the five weeks ending 

January 2, eggs set were 6.4 percent and chicks placed were up 

35 percent compared with the same period last year.

Total stocks of chicken in cold storage at the end of November 

were 991 million pounds, up 4 percent from the end of October

2019 and down 7 percent from November 2018. Stocks of 

whole broilers were up 1 percent from the previous month and 

38 percent from the year before. Bone-in thighs in cold storage 

were down 11 percent from November 2019 and up 24 percent 

year-over-year. Drumstick stocks were down 6 percent 

monthly but up 9 percent yearly. Stocks of b/s breasts in 

freezers were 11 percent higher monthly and 12 percent 

higher yearly. Cold storage of wings were down 3 percent for 

the month and 33 percent from last year’s levels. Leg quarters 

were up 11 monthly and 41 percent yearly.

Price

Compared to November, whole broiler prices were down 2

percent, closing November at 85cents/lb., 6 percent below the 

2018 monthly average price. Boneless/skinless (B/S) breast 

prices rose to 98 cents/lb., 10 percent higher both monthly and 

yearly. Wing prices held steady at 174 cents per pound, but 

still 19 percent higher yearly. Bulk leg quarter prices rose 4 

cents to 37 cents/lb., 18 percent above the previous year’s 

level. Boneless/skinless thigh meat prices fell a cent to 111

cents/lb., down 4 percent below its November 2018 value.

Bone-in thighs rose 3 cents/lb. in October to 65 cents/lb., up 

12 percent from October 2019 and 26 percent from November 

2018. Drumsticks gained 1 cents to 37 cents/lb., 1 percent 

below last year’s value. 

International Trade

November exports of chicken and chicken products totaled 291

thousand metric tons valued at $280 million. This is an increase 

in volume and value of 1 percent and 6 percent, respectively,

relative to October. Year-over-year, this represents a 3 percent

increase in volume but a 6 percent increase in value. Year-todate exports of chicken are up 1 percent in volume and 2 

percent in value. Mexico, Canada, Cuba, Taiwan, and Angola

were the largest importers of U.S. broiler meat.

BEEF/VEAL

Production

November 2019 beef production was down 1 percent from last 

year and down 6 percent from last month at 2.30 billion 

pounds. Cattle slaughter numbers totaled 2.77 million head, 

down 1 percent both year-over-year and monthly. The average 

live weight was up 5 pounds from last year and up 15 pounds 

from October at 1,375 pounds. Beef production for the yearto-date is up 1 percent from 2018. Veal production in 

November 2019 was 6.1 million pounds, down 9 percent 

yearly, and down 14 monthly. Calf slaughter volume equaled 

46,500 head, down 16 percent yearly but down 4 percent from 

October. The average live weight was up 5 pounds from

October at 227 pounds, and up 17 pounds yearly. Accumulated 

veal production was down 2 percent from last year.

Total beef in cold storage at the end of November was down 7

percent compared with the end of November 2018, but up 3

percent compared with October. Stocks of boneless beef were 

up 4 percent monthly but down 6 percent yearly, while beef 

cuts were down 7 percent month-over-month and down 18

percent year-over-year. Veal stocks in freezers lost 3 percent 

relative to October and were down 40 percent yearly.

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) added nearly $5 in 

December to $120 per cwt, 4 percent above the November

price and 2 percent above the December 2018 price. The 

monthly average beef cutout value lost $18 per cwt., to $218

per cwt., 7 below November and 2 percent higher than 

December 2018. The 90 percent lean boneless beef monthly 

average price rose 2 percent from the month before, averaging

$241 per cwt., 24 higher year-over-year. The 50 percent lean 

trim price lost $21 to $63 per cwt, 24 percent below November

but up 4 percent from last year. The average prices for hide-off 

veal carcasses held steady at $305 per cwt, down 1 percent 

both monthly and yearly.

International Trade

Compared to 2018, November 2019 beef and veal exports 

(including variety meats) were down 4 percent at 109 thousand 

MT while the export value was down 7 percent at $658 million. 

The export volume and value were up 0.6 and 1.4 percent from 

October, respectively. Total exports for 2019 are 3 percent 

lower in volume and value compared to 2018. In November, 

South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Mexico and Canada were our 

largest export markets. Year-over-year beef import volumes 

for November were up 10 percent at 87 thousand MT and were 

20 percent higher in value at $531 million. On a monthly basis 

volume fell slightly and value lost 2 percent. Year-to-date beef 

imports are 2 percent higher relative to 2018, with value up 7

percent. Canada, Australia, Mexico, Nicaragua and Brazil were 

the largest importers of beef to the U.S. in November 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 in November totaled 2.4 billion pounds, down 

7 percent monthly but up 3 percent from 2018. The number of 

hogs slaughtered was 11.3 million head, up 3 percent from 

November 2018 and down 2 percent monthly. The average live 

weight was up 2 pounds from last year and up 3 pounds from 

last month at 288. Year-to-date pork production through 

November 2019 is up 5 percent from the same period in 2018. 

Total stocks of pork in cold storage at the end of November

were down 6 percent from October but up 13 percent from last 

year. Ham inventories declined 37 percent month-over-month 

but rose 14 percent year-over-year, with stocks of bone-in 

hams down 50 percent monthly but up 4 percent yearly, and 

boneless hams down 27 and up 21 percent, respectively. Belly 

inventories were up 14 percent monthly and 40 percent from 

last year. Total loin stocks added 15 percent for the month and 

rose 43 percent yearly. Pork rib stocks increased 11 percent 

monthly and 3 percent yearly. Pork trimmings in freezers were 

3 percent lower than October and 6 percent below last year. 

Price

The monthly average negotiated carcass price for barrows and 

gilts in December added $1 per/lb. to $46 per cwt., up 4 

percent monthly but down 2 percent from last year. The pork 

cutout value fell $2 in December to a monthly average of $80

per cwt., down 4 percent from November but up 11 percent 

from 2018. The monthly average price for trimmed, bone-in 

hams, 23-27 pounds lost $8 to $78 per cwt., up 57 percent from 

last year. Prices for picnic meat combos, cushion out, lost $2

at $94 per cwt., 51 percent above 2018. Pork trimmings, 72 

percent lean, prices increased $8 per cwt. averaging $63 per 

cwt, up 32 percent from December 2018. Pork belly primal 

values dropped $20 per cwt. to $96 per cwt., down 22 percent 

from December 2018. 

International Trade

Pork exports (including variety meats) in November 2019 were 

up 16 percent from the previous month at 254 thousand metric 

tons, and up 22 percent in value at $680 million. Compared to 

last year, exports were 26 percent higher in volume and up 35

percent value. The year-to-date volume of pork exports was up

7 percent and the value up 6 percent. China, Japan, Mexico, 

Canada and South Korea were our largest export markets. 

Compared to last year, November pork imports were 10

percent lower in volume at 33 thousand MT, and 7 percent

lower in value at $122 million. Import volume and value were 

down from October by 9 and 10 percent, respectively. Total 

imports for 2019 to date are down 10 percent in volume and 7

percent in value. Canada, Italy, Poland, Denmark and Mexico

were the top importers of pork to the U.S.

LAMB

Production

November lamb and mutton production, at 11.2 million 

pounds, was down 13 percent from November 2018 and down 

12 percent from October. Sheep slaughter totaled 179,700 

head, down 13 percent from October and down 8 percent from

last year. The average live weight was 125 pounds, down 1

pounds from October and down 7 pounds from November

2018. Lamb and mutton production for the year so far is down 

3 percent from 2018. Lamb stocks in cold storage were 10

percent lower than levels both last year and last month.

Price

The negotiated live slaughter lamb price held steady on a 

monthly basis at $152 per cwt., up 15 percent from last year. 

The average lamb cutout value lost $1 for a monthly average 

of $398 per cwt, 4 percent above the 2018 value. The monthly 

average price for leg of lamb, trotter-off fell $11 to $370 per 

cwt., 3 percent below the December 2018 average. The 

average price for lamb shoulder (IMPS 207) in December

slipped $5, or 1 percent monthly to $327 per cwt., but up 14

percent from December 2018. Trimmed 4x4 loins increased

$12 to $533 per cwt., up 2 percent monthly, but down 2 

percent yearly. Legs, trotter-off added $11 to close December

at $370 per cwt. up 2 percent from 2018. 

International Trade

The U.S. lamb export volume lost 3 percent in November

relative to October, ending 144 metric tons valued at $1.02

million (down 25 percent). On a yearly basis, the export 

volume was down 38 percent and value dropped 31 percent. 

The year-to-date export volume fell 14 percent, though the 

value was slightly lower. The Bahamas, Mexico and 

Netherlands Antilles were the top destinations for U.S. lamb 

and mutton. Imports of lamb to the U.S. were up 10 percent 

in November compared to October at 8.4 thousand metric 

tons, and the value of imports rose 12 percent to $73 million. 

Year-over-year imports were up 5 percent in volume but were 

6 percent lower in value. Cumulative imports for the year were

down 4 percent but the value rose 8 percent. Australia, New 

Zealand and Mexico are the top three importing countries to 

the U.S. 

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. 

135.0

145.0

155.0

165.0

175.0

185.0

195.0

205.0

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

cents per pound

Northeast Chicken Price - Whole Wings

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

50.0

55.0

60.0

65.0

70.0

75.0

80.0

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

cents per pound

Nat'l Tom Turkey Fresh Tom Drumstick Price

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

180.0

190.0

200.0

210.0

220.0

230.0

240.0

250.0

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

dollars per hundredweight

Monthly 90% Lean Boneless Beef Price 

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

100.0

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

dollars per hundredweight

Monthly Pork 72% Trim Combo Price

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg