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 2-21

February 2021

EGGS

Production

Table egg production rose 3 percent monthly in December to 

695 million dozen, down 3 percent from the December 2019

level. Shell eggs broken rose 5 percent monthly to 195 million 

dozen, 8 percent below its 2019 level. Inventories of table egg 

layers are tracking below 2020 seasonal levels. First-of-themonth table egg layers-on-hand were unchanged at 325

million in January, 5 percent below its 2020 level. Similarly, 

egg-type hatching-egg layers-on-hand rose 3 percent monthly 

to 3.7 million but remain 3 percent lower yearly. Future 

indicators of egg production were mixed with pullet additions 

down 4 percent monthly in December to 27 million, a 3 percent 

increase from 2019, and production of egg-type hatching eggs 

rising 11 percent monthly to 7.3 million dozen, a 1 percent 

reduction from the previous year’s level. Broiler hatching flock 

indicators signaled modest growth in December. Broiler-type 

hatching eggs layers-on-hand on the first of the month rose 2

percent monthly to 62.4 million, up 4 percent from January 

2020. Broiler-type hatching egg production rose 4 percent 

monthly to 98 million dozen, up 5 percent from 2019. 

Price

Shell egg prices rose sharply in January while breaking eggs 

showed modest seasonal declines. As shown in the Figure, the 

New York shell egg price rose 23 percent monthly to $1.12 per 

dozen, up 23 percent from January 2020. The monthly National 

Index price rose 43 percent monthly to $0.69 per dozen, up 41

percent yearly. The Central States Breaking Stock price fell 12 

percent seasonally to $0.36 per dozen but remained up 30 

percent yearly. 

International Trade

In volume terms, U.S. shell egg exports in December rose 50 

percent monthly to 14.8 million dozen, a 40 percent increase 

from 2019. In value terms, exports rose 33 percent monthly to 

$12.0 million, 7 percent above its previous year’s value. Mexico 

led export destinations with 4.6 million dozen eggs received in 

December, the country’s highest import level since the 2015 

Avian Influenza outbreak disrupted trade access.

TURKEY

Production

November turkey production rose 3 percent monthly to 470 

million pounds, up 25 percent from the December 2019 

volume. Total turkey in cold storage rose 16 percent monthly 

to 224 million pounds. Despite this seasonal inventory build-up 

after Thanksgiving, total December turkey inventory remains 4 

percent below 2019. Whole birds in cold storage were up 2 

percent yearly but, across turkey parts, breasts fell 3 percent, 

legs fell 9 percent, mechanically deboned meat fell 43 percent, 

and unclassified parts fell 7 percent. December marked the 

first month since June 2021 that all future production 

indicators for turkey showed increases, albeit only the 

movements were modest movements. Poult placements were 

up 2 percent monthly and 1 percent yearly. Turkey eggs in 

incubators rose 1 percent both monthly and yearly. Poults 

hatched rose 2 percent monthly and 1 percent yearly. 

Price

The whole frozen hen price fell 3 percent monthly to $1.09 per 

pound and the whole frozen tom price fell 2 percent to $1.08 

per pound. Both prices were up 14 percent from January 2020. 

In fresh markets, the tom price rose 5 percent monthly to $1.25 

per pound, up 9 percent yearly. The hen price rose 6 percent 

monthly to $1.24 per pound. The turkey breast price fell 1 

percent in January to $1.66 per pound, down 13 percent from 

its January 2020 level. The tom drumstick price rose 11 percent 

in January to $0.70 per pound, down 5 percent yearly. The 

thigh meat price rose 1 percent to $1.19 per pound but

remained down 23 percent from January 2019. 

International Trade

Turkey exports continued seasonal volume and value declines 

in December. In volume terms, turkey exports fell 14 percent 

to 21 thousand MT, 1 percent below the 2019 level. In value

terms, exports fell 12 percent to $48.6 million, down 6 percent 

yearly. For the 2020 calendar year, turkey exports fell to 259 

million MT, 11 percent below the 2019 level. While exports to 

Mexico fell 8 percent, the largest export declines in percentage 

terms across major trade partners came from South Africa,

Benin, and Peru at 56, 69, and 55 percent, respectively.
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 basis was up

7 percent monthly at 3.71 billion pounds in December, a 2

percent increase year-over-year. Similarly, broiler slaughter 

was up 7 percent monthly at 766 million head, a 1 percent 

increase yearly. Broiler egg set rose 15 percent in January to 

1,007 million, down 11 percent from its previous year's level. 

As shown in the Figure, broiler chicks placed rose 13 percent 

monthly to 805 million. While this level is down 10 percent 

from January 2020, it is unchanged from the 3-year average 

from 2017 to 2019. Total stocks of chicken in cold storage at 

the end of December fell 2 percent monthly to 863 million 

pounds, down 11 percent from 2019. Stocks of whole broilers 

fell 31 percent monthly and 25 percent yearly. Aside from 

breasts and bone-in thighs, most chicken part stocks were 

down in December from the previous year. Drums, leg 

quarters, and legs fell 10 percent, 28 percent, and 4 percent 

yearly. On a monthly basis, wings stocks fell 7 percent, leg 

stocks fell 10 percent, boneless thighs stocks fell 5 percent, and 

bone-in thighs fell 11 percent. 

Price

The National Composite Whole Body broiler price was 

unchanged in January at $0.82 per pound, down 8 percent 

from the previous year. The boneless, skinless breast price was 

up 16 percent at $1.09, up 18 percent yearly. Bone-in breast 

prices rose 1 percent to $1.08 per pound, up 3 percent yearly. 

Bone-in thigh prices fell 7 percent to $0.46 per pound, down 

29 percent yearly. Tenderloin prices rose 4 percent to $1.64

per pound, up 29 percent yearly. Dark meat leg quarters 

increased 4 percent monthly to $0.29 per pound, 25 percent 

lower than in 2020. Boneless skinless thigh prices rose 12 

percent monthly to $0.64 per pound, 41 percent below last

year's price. Drumstick prices were up 1 percent monthly at 

$0.41 per pound, unchanged from January 2020 level. Tight 

and falling inventories along with strong seasonal demand 

pushed wing prices to $2.44 per pound in January, widening its 

already considerable price premium over other cuts.

International Trade

In volume terms, December chicken exports fell 6 percent to 

277 thousand MT, up 4 percent from 2019’s level. In value 

terms, exports fell 3 percent to $251 million, down 1 percent 

yearly. Despite the sharp global economic slowdown brought 

about by the Covid-19 pandemic, China’s emergence as a 

major trade partner, with 8 percent of 2020 exports following 

previously negligible levels, allowed overall exports to grow 3 

percent. Chicken importsfell 40 percent yearly in volume to 5.3 

thousand MT and 42 percent yearly in value to $20.1 million. 

BEEF/VEAL

Production

December 2020 beef production totaled 2.32 billion pounds, 3

percent higher than in both December 2019 and November

2020. Cattle slaughter was 2.78 million head, up 1 percent

year-over-year and up 3 percent monthly. The average live 

weight rose 16 pounds yearly and 1 pound from November to

1,389 pounds. Veal production in December 2020 was 5.6

million pounds, 14 percent lower and up 16 percent from

November. Calf slaughter totaled 40,600 head, down 19

percent yearly but up 16 percent monthly. The average live calf 

weight was up 14 pounds from 2019 and 1 pound higher

monthly at 242 pounds. Total beef production for the year was 

slightly below 2019, while veal production dropped 14 percent.

Total beef in cold storage at the end of December was up 11

percent compared with December 2019 and up 4 percent 

monthly. Stocks of boneless beef were up 11 percent from last 

year, and 5 percent higher than November. Beef cuts in 

freezers were 2 percent lower monthly but up 22 percent yearover-year. Veal supplies were up 3 percent from the previous 

month and up 52 percent yearly.

Price

The January average Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers)

broke its previously steady pattern by gaining $2 per cwt to 

$111, up 2 percent for the month, but 10 percent lower than 

January 2020. The average beef cutout value lost $4 per cwt 

to $215 per cwt, down 2 percent monthly but up 2 percent

from last year (see graph below). 90% lean boneless added $12

for a total of $217 per cwt, up 6 percent from December but 

down 11 percent yearly. The December 50% lean trim average 

reversed a 7-month pattern by gaining $15 per cwt to $50, 

rising 42 percent from December but down 11 percent yearly.

The average price for hide-off veal carcasses remained at $293

per cwt, month to month, and again held at 4 percent below 

the 2020 level.

International Trade

Compared to 2019, December 2020 beef and veal exports 

(including variety meats) increased to 120 thousand MT,

adding 8 percent yearly and 4 percent monthly. The export 

value rose 9 percent from last year and 5 percent from last 

month to $744 million. For the year as a whole beef exports 

were down 5 percent in both volume and value from 2019. In 

December more than half of beef exports were sent to Japan, 

South Korea, and Mexico. Year-over-year beef import volumes 

for December fell 8 percent compared to last year for a total of 

75.5 thousand MT and were down 2 percent in value at $491

million. On a monthly basis volume fell 10 percent and value 

fell 7 percent. Total 2020 beef imports were up 9 percent in 

volume and 13 percent in value over the year before. Canada,

Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, and Brazil were the largest

beef importers to the U.S. in December 2020, with Canada the 

source of nearly 30 percent of beef volume and 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

Total pork production in December was 2.51 billion pounds, up 

4 percent monthly and 3 percent yearly. The number of hogs 

slaughtered was 11.5 million head, up 1 percent from 2019 and 

4 percent higher than November. Average live hog weight rose 

6 pounds yearly and remained steady monthly at 294 pounds.

Total 2020 pork production to date is up 2 percent from 2019.

Stocks of all pork in cold storage at the end of December were 

down 3 percent from November and 30 percent below last 

year. Ham inventories are down 28 percent compared to the

volume last month and down 38 percent year-over-year. 

Stocks of bone-in hams fell 54 percent monthly and 45 percent 

yearly, while boneless hams were down 14 and 35 percent, 

respectively. Belly inventories rose 32 percent monthly but fell

54 percent yearly. Total loin stocks were up 2 percent from 

November but were down 23 percent yearly. Pork trimmings 

in freezers added 2 percent monthly and lost 19 percent yearly.

Price

The monthly average negotiated carcass price for barrows and 

gilts in January 2021 inched up $1 to $54 per cwt, up 1 percent

monthly and 4 percent yearly. The pork cutout value returned

$5 to add 6 percent both monthly and yearly at $80 per cwt as 

shown in graph below. Prices of boneless center cut loins,

slipped $1 to $116 per cwt, down 1 percent from December

but up 6 percent from last January. The price for trimmed, 

selected hams, 23-27 pounds recouped $22 to settle at $61 per 

cwt, 4 percent above December but down 9 percent yearly. 

The 72 percent lean pork trimmings price rose $7 to $80 per 

cwt, rising 9 percent monthly and 18 percent yearly. Prices for 

picnic meat combos, cushion out, also rose $3 to $88 per cwt, 

up 3 percent monthly and 5 percent yearly. Pork belly primal

values jumped $32 in January to $124 per cwt, 35 percent

above December 2020 and 25 percent above January 2020. 

International Trade

Exports of pork were down 8 percent from December 2019 

volume at 253 thousand metric tons and fell 10 percent in 

value to $659 million. Compared to November, export volume 

was slightly higher while value was down 1 percent. Total 

exports of pork in 2020 were up 12 percent compared to the 

previous year in both value and volume. Japan, China, Mexico, 

Canada, and South Korea continued to be our largest export 

markets. While 15 percent of pork exports were sent of Japan, 

it was the source of 23 percent of pork export value. Compared 

to last year, December pork imports were up 11 percent in 

volume at 35 thousand MT and up 9 percent in value at $127

million. Import volume fell 10 percent from November with

value down 16 percent. The total yearly volume of pork 

imports was up 11 percent from 2019, and the value rose 9

percent. Pork exports for all of 2020 were down 6 percent and 

were 1 percent lower in value for the year. The largest pork 

imports in December came from Canada. Italy, Mexico, Poland,

and Denmark, more than half from Canada.

LAMB

Production

Decemberlamb and mutton production was 12 million pounds, 

up 13 percent from November, but down 1 percent yearly. 

Sheep slaughter totaled 197,800 head, adding 10 percent 

monthly and 1 percent yearly. The average live weight was up 

3 pounds from last month and 2 pounds below last year at 121

pounds. January to December 2020 commercial lamb and 

mutton production fell 7 percent from 2019. Lamb stocks in 

cold storage were down 28 percent from 2019 and 4 percent 

lower monthly.

Price

Negotiated live slaughter lamb average price for this period 

slipped $1 to $159 per cwt., up 4 percent year-over-year. The 

lamb cutout value gained $3 in January to average $448 per 

cwt, a slight increase monthly but 7 percent higher yearly. Leg 

of lamb, trotter-off (IMPS 233C) gained $8 for an average of

$403 per cwt, up 2 percent monthly and 4 percent yearly. The 

average price for lamb shoulder (IMPS 207) again slipped $1 in 

January to $365 per cwt but remained up 12 percent from

January 2020. Trimmed 4x4 loins (IMPS 232) dropped $17 to 

$680 per cwt, 2 percent lower than December but 30 percent 

above last year. 

International Trade

The U.S. lamb export volume more than doubled in December

relative to November up 122 percent in volume, and up 107

percent in value, at 187 metric tons, equaling $878,000. 

December export value was down 45 percent from 2019, with 

value down 34 percent. For the year as a whole lamb exports 

were 259 percent above the 2019 volume, but the value of 

exports was 3 percent lower. The destinations for the highest 

volume of lamb exports were Mexico, Canada, and the 

Bahamas. Imports of lamb to the U.S. increased 3 percent in 

December compared to November at 10.3 thousand metric 

tons, while the value of imports rose 15 percent to $88 million. 

Year-over-year imports were 5 percent lower in volume and 6

percent lower in value. Total lamb imports for 2020 rose 8

percent in volume, but down 11 percent relative to 2019. Most

lamb imports were from Australia and 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. 

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

100.0

110.0

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

dollars per hundredweight

Monthly Pork Carcass Cutout Value

2021 2020 2017-2019 avg

$112.00 

$91.20 

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

805 

712 

650

700

750

800

850

900

950

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

thousand chicks set

Monthly Broiler Chicks Placed

2021 2020 2017-2019

175.0

225.0

275.0

325.0

375.0

425.0

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

Monthly Choice 600-900 lb. Beef Cutout Value

2021 2020 2017-2019 avg