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 Program, Agricultural Analytics Division Volume 12-21

December 2021

EGGS

Production

At 694 million dozen, October table egg production was up 5 

percent monthly and up 1 percent yearly. At 197 million dozen, 

shell eggs broken were unchanged monthly and up 2 percent 

yearly. First-of-the-month table egg layers-on-hand increased 1 

percent in November at 327 million, up 1 percent from the 2020 

level. Egg-type hatching-egg layers-on-hand were up 3 percent 

monthly and down 5 percent yearly to 3.0 million. Production 

of egg-type hatching eggs were down 4 percent monthly to 6.2

million dozen, down 8 percent from October 2020. 

Pullet additions (of both broiler- and egg-type layers) fell 4 in 

October to 26.2 million, 5 percent above the 2020 level. Broilertype hatching egg layers-on-hand on the first of the November 

were unchanged monthly at 61.9 million, 2 percent above the 

2020 level. Broiler-type hatching egg production was up 3 

percent in October to 101 million dozen, up 3 percent from its 

2020 level. 

Price

Egg prices showed strong seasonal gains in November and early 

December across all major categories. In particularly, the figure 

shows that the New York shell egg price rose 24 percent 

monthly to $1.31 per dozen, up 13 percent from November 

2020, and early December prices. The monthly National Index 

price rose 35 percent monthly to $0.83 per dozen, up 23 percent 

from the previous year’s price. The Central States Breaking 

Stock price rose 8 percent to $0.65 per dozen, down 7 percent 

from 2020. 

International Trade

U.S. shell egg exports fell 30 percent monthly in volume terms 

to 13.6 million dozen in October, up 34 percent compared to 

the 2020 level. In value terms, shell exports fell 34 percent 

monthly to $12.7 million, up 38 percent yearly. Egg product 

exports decreased 21 percent monthly to 2.5 thousand MTs 

valued at $10.0 million. This volume is 7 percent compared to 

the October 2020 level. Exports of both shell eggs and egg 

products to South Korea, which has surged recently with that 

country’s HPAI outbreak, fell to negligible levels in October. 

This returned as the top U.S. export destinations the countries 

of Hong Kong, Mexico, and Canada for shell eggs and the 

countries of Canada and Japan for egg products. 

TURKEY

Production

October turkey production rose 3.2 percent monthly to 485 

million pounds but remained down 7 percent from the 2020 

level. Turkey slaughter increased 9.6 percent to 20.1 million

birds but was also down 5 percent annually. Total stocks of 

turkey at the end of October were down 19 percent from 2020 

levels. At 33 million pounds, stocks of turkey breasts shrank 20 

percent to be 51 percent below the 2020 level. Stocks of legs 

fell 12 percent, 38 percent above 2020 levels, but still below the 

three-year average from 2017 to 2019. Mechanically deboned 

meat and other turkey meat stocks also fell 6 and 10 percent 

monthly to end 20 and 22 percent below 2020 levels. As shown 

in the Figure, total turkey in cold storage trended below the 

previous year’s level in both 2020 and 2021, reflecting the 

decreased production in those years.

Future indicators of turkey production increased seasonally, but 

still suggest little growth above historic trend levels. Poult 

placements rose 5 percent monthly to 19.7 million but are down 

2 percent yearly. Poults hatched rose 5 percent monthly to 22 

million, down 6 percent yearly. At 27.5 million, turkey eggs in 

incubators rose 7 percent above September levels and are 2 

percent higher early. 

Price

Despite the Thanksgiving increases in seasonal demand, turkey

prices held steady in November, but still up from 2020 levels. 

Prices for frozen whole toms and hens were unchanged at $1.34 

to 1.35 per pound, 15 to 19 percent above the 2020 level. Prices 

for fresh whole toms and hens fell 1 percent to $1.45 to 1.46

per pound, 12 above the 2020 level. Low stocks supported a 6 

percent further increase in the price of boneless, skinless tom 

breast meat to $3.65 per pound, 79 percent above the 

November 2020 level. Similarly, at $1.13 per pound, drumstick 

prices rose 5 percent monthly to be 53 percent from 2020. 

Thigh meat prices were unchanged at $2.02 per pound and 

remain up 30% from 2020. 

International Trade

Turkey exports increased 6 percent in volume to 22.0 thousand 

MTs valued at $63.8 million, a 23 percent decrease yearly. With 

a 65 share by volume, Mexico led export destinations.
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 of young chickens on a ready-to-cook (RTC) basis fell 

3 percent monthly in October to 3.8 billion pounds, a 1 percent 

increase from the 2020 level. Broiler slaughter fell 3 percent 

monthly to 771 million head, down 2 percent from the 2020 

level.

Future production indicators for broilers rose in recent weeks. 

Compared to 2020, the most recent 4-week average has both 

broiler chicks placed and broiler egg sets up 3 percent. 

Hatchability remains down at 79.5 percent. In total, broiler 

chicks placed fell 1 percent in November to 781 million, up 2

percent from 2020. Broiler eggs set also fell 1 percent in 

November to 1,026 million, up 3 percent yearly. 

Despite modest recent increases, chicken in cold storage has 

been down by over 15 percent compared to 2020 levels 

throughout this year. Total stocks of chicken (including paws) in 

cold storage at the end of October rose 3 percent monthly to 

756 million pounds, down 17 percent from its 2020 level. Stocks 

of whole broilers fell 4 percent monthly and remain down 36 

percent from 2020. Stocks of the three largest cuts (by total 

volume) all saw gains with breasts rising 1 percent, leg quarters 

rising 7 percent, and wings rising 8 percent. Bonelessthighs also 

rose 4 percent but remain down 51 percent on 2020 levels. 

Bone-in and drums both fell 1 percent. 

Price

Chicken prices fell seasonally in November as Turkey poultry 

consumption crowded out broiler meat purchases. The National 

Composite Whole Body broiler price fell 2 percent monthly to 

$1.05 per pound, still up 37 percent from the 2020 level. The 

boneless, skinless breast price fell 2 percent monthly to $1.82

per pound, up 103 percent yearly. The bone-in breast price 

edged up to $1.18 per pound, up 13 percent from 2020. 

Boneless, skinless thigh prices fell 15 percent monthly to $1.70

per pound, down 183 percent from 2020. Bone-in, skin-on thigh 

prices fell 5 percent to $0.57 per pound, still down 28 percent 

yearly. Tenderloin prices fell 7 percent monthly to a $2.51 per 

pound, up 69 percent yearly. Wing prices fell 4 percent to $2.83 

per pound, still up 25 percent from 2020. Leg quarters fell 7

percent monthly to $0.37 per pound, 45 percent above its 

October 2020 level. Drumstick prices fell 8 percent monthly to 

$0.40 per pound, 3 percent below the November 2020 level. 

International Trade

In volume terms, September chicken exports fell 9 percent in 

value to 297 thousand MT valued at $340 million, a 10 percent 

yearly decrease. Mexico, Cuba, Angola, China, and Taiwan led 

export destinations with volume shares of 21, 7, 7, 6, and 4 

respectively. Chicken remains very diverse in terms of the 

number of countries being 15 countries having greater than 2 

percent of U.S. exports by volume. 

BEEF/VEAL

Production

Despite a 4 percent fall from last year, October 2021 beef 

production increased 3 percent from September to 2.37 billion 

pounds. Cattle slaughter was up 2 percent monthly but 3

percent lower yearly at 2.85 million head. Average live weight 

was down 9 pounds from 2020 but up 11 pounds monthly at

1,376 pounds. Veal production in October was 4.6 million 

pounds, 5 percent higher than last month but down 13 percent

year-over-year. Calf slaughter totaled 35,400 head, 6 percent

higher yearly, but 5 percent lower monthly. Live calf weight was

25 pounds lower than 2020 but 2 pounds higher than

September at 226 pounds. January to October 2021 cumulative

beef production was 3 percent higher yearly, while year-to-date 

veal production was down 19 percent from 2020.

Total beef in cold storage at the end of October fell 5 percent 

below 2020 but increased 9 percent monthly. Boneless beef

was down 5 percent year-over-year but up 8 percent from 

September. Beef cut stocks added 5 percent yearly and 16

percent monthly. Veal inventories dropped by nearly half of 

2020 levels and fell 13 percent for the month.

Price

In November, live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) added

$8 to $133 per cwt, up 7 percent monthly and 22 percent yearly.

The beef cutout value added $1 for a slight monthly rise to $284

per cwt, 26 percent higher yearly. The 90 percent lean boneless

beef value held steady month-to-month at $276 per cwt, up 38

percent from 2020. The 50 percent lean trim price fell $3 to $94, 

4 percent lower monthly but 133 percent higher yearly. The

beef tenderloin graph below shows that prices have stabilized 

since the peaks overthe summer months. With steady increases 

through the year, Hide-off veal carcass values remained $2

higher all through November at $369 per cwt, 27 percent above

last year. However, the number of head sold declined steadily.

International Trade

In October 2021, total beef and veal exports (including variety 

meats) were 116 thousand MT, 8 percent higher yearly but 

down 6 percent monthly. Export value increased 48 percent

from last year, slightly above last month at $957 million. Beef 

and veal exports for the year to date weee up 17 percent in 

volume and 38 percent in value. South Korea, Japan and China 

took roughly 60 percent of our beef exports, both in volume and 

value. Beef and veal import volumes for October gained 18

percent from the year before and 3 percent monthly to 105

thousand MT. The import value of beef to the U.S. was $834

million, increasing 5 percent and 52 percent respectively, for 

the month and year. To date 2021 beef and veal imports are 3

percent lower in volume but 16 percent higher in value. The top 

countries that imported beef to the U.S. were Canada (roughly 

one-third of volume and value), Mexico (22 percent of import

volume and value) and Australia (14 percent of beef volume and 

16 percent of the value).
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 lost 9 percent compared to 2020 but 

increased 5 percent monthly to total 2.37 billion pounds. Total

hogs slaughtered rose 3 percent from September but fell 8

percent from 2020 to 11.08 million head. Live hog weight added

5 pounds monthly but lost 3 pounds yearly to 288 pounds. 2021

year-to-date pork production remained 2 percent below last 

year.

All pork in cold storage in October was down 6 percent from 

September and down 2 percent year-over-year. Total hams in

cold storage fell 22 percent monthly but rose 22 percent for the 

year. Bone-in ham supplies fell 22 percent monthly but rose 58

percent yearly, while boneless hams fell 22 percent from 

September and fell 4 percent from last year. Belly inventories 

declined 10 percent monthly and 39 percent yearly. Total loin 

stocks added 7 percent compared to September but fell 23

percent year-over-year. Pork trimmings in freezers rose 11

percent yearly but slipped 1 percent from the previous month.

Price

In November the negotiated carcass price for barrows and gilts 

fell $9 to average $58 per cwt, 14 percent lower monthly, 3

percent lower yearly, and half of the peak yearly price in June. 

The pork cutout value lost $11 to $91 per cwt, 10 percent below 

last month but up 13 percent from last year. Boneless center cut 

loin prices, dropped $13 to $123 per cwt, 9 percent lower for 

the month but up 8 percent from last November. Trimmed, 

selected ham prices (23-27 pounds) recouped $6 for an average 

of $58 per cwt, 11 percent above October but down 17 percent

yearly. The 72 percent lean pork trimmings price slipped $2 to

$78 per cwt, 3 percent lower monthly and 12 percent below 

2020. Picnic meat combo, cushion-out priceslost $10 to $82 per 

cwt, 11 percent below month before and down 12 percent

yearly. Pork belly prices turned down sharply in November, 

dropping $40 to $139 per cwt, down 23 percent monthly but 39

percent higher yearly.

International Trade

Exports of pork were down 7 percent from last October at 222

thousand metric tons, and down 3 percent in value at $597

million. Compared to September, export volume was up 3

percent and value up 2 percent. For the year to date, pork 

export volume is slightly above 2020 with value up 9 percent. 

Japan, Mexico, and Canada together were the destination of 

nearly two-thirds of our pork exports. Compared to 2010 

October pork imports were up 36 percent in volume at 51

thousand MT and up 41 percent in value at $211 million. 

Compared to September import volume was up 4 percent and

value up 6 percent. The 2021 total yearly imports so far were up

27 percent in volume and 41 percent in value compared to this 

time last year. In October 67 percent of pork imports came from 

Canada, with 10 percent from Mexico and 4 percent from Italy.

LAMB

Production

October lamb and mutton production increased 7 percent yearover-year to 11.4 million pounds, also up 6 percent from

September. Sheep slaughter totaled 187,300 head, 3 percent 

above last year and up 2 percent monthly. The average live 

weight was 5 pounds higher than both last month and last year

at 121 pounds. Total lamb production from January to October

2021 was down 2 percent yearly. Lamb stocks in cold storage 

were 6 percent higher both yearly and monthly.

Price

The November negotiated live slaughter lamb price lost $9 to

$231 per cwt, 4 percent lower monthly, but up 38 percent from 

2020. The lamb cutout value fell $17 in November to $676 per 

cwt, down 2 percent monthly but up 47 percent yearly.

Boneless leg of lamb, tied (IMPS 234) lost $16 to $920 per cwt, 

down 2 percent monthly but 61 percent higher than 2020 (see 

graph below). Like higher-end beef cuts, the price has stabilized, 

likely due to overall inflation. The lamb shoulder (IMPS 207)

price fell $42, or 8 percent month-over-month to $497 per cwt

but remained 36 percent higher yearly. Ground lamb (IMPS 296)

lost $9 to an average of $791 per cwt, down 1 percent from

October but 31 percent above 2020. 

International Trade

Lamb export volume in October nearly doubled (up 77 percent) 

compared to September at 173 metric tons with value up 35

percent at $1.1 million. Export volume dropped 59 percent from 

2020 but value increased 9 percent. January to October

cumulative exports were 84 percent below 2020 with value 

down 50 percent. The top destinations for U.S. lamb exports 

were Trinidad and Tobago (24 percent of the volume and 29

percent of value) and Mexico (18 percent of volume and 34

percent of value). Imports of lamb to the U.S. increased 82

percent compared to October 2020, with volume up 89 percent. 

On a monthly basis, import volume was up 4 percent with value 

down 5 percent. To date, total 2021 imports are 18 percent

higher yearly, with value up 38 percent. 86 percent of lamb 

imports were from Australia and 12 percent from New Zealand.

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. 

50.0

75.0

100.0

125.0

150.0

175.0

200.0

225.0

250.0

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

cents per dozen

Monthly NY Shell Egg Price to Retailers

2021 2020 2017-2019 avg

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

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

million pounds

Total Turkey in Cold Storage

2021 2020 2017-2019 avg

650

850

1,050

1,250

1,450

1,650

1,850

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

dollars per hundred wieght

Trimmed Whole Beef Tenderloin Prices, 189A 4

2021 2020 2017-2019 avg

400.0

500.0

600.0

700.0

800.0

900.0

1,000.0

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

dollars per hundredweight

Monthly Price Lamb Bnls Leg, Tied

2021 2020 2017-2019 avg