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 10-19

October 2019

EGGS

Production

Table egg production in August was up 1 percent from July at

688 million dozen, 2 percent above last year. Broiler-type 

hatching egg production in August was up 1 percent compared 

to 2018 with 1.1 billion broiler-type hatching eggs produced. In 

August 83 million egg-type hatching eggs were produced, 5

percent less than last year. Shell eggs broken totaled 211

million dozen during August, 1 percent lower than a year ago, 

but up 3 percent from July.

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

September 1 was up 1 percent from August and up slightly 

from 2018 at 331 million birds. Hatching egg layers for the 

table egg flock fell 6 percent from last year to 3.3 million birds, 

and the broiler-type hatching egg flock, at 58.5 million birds

was up 2 percent from 2018. The number of pullets added 

during August for all types of egg production was down 6

percent yearly at 28.3 million.

Price

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

wholesale market rose 4 cents in September with a monthly 

average of 95 cents/dozen, up 4 percent from July but 14

percent below September 2018. Breaking stock prices gained 

9 cents in September, averaging 45 cents per dozen, up 24

percent from August, but 21 percent below the average 

monthly price for September 2018.

International Trade

U.S. table shell egg exports in August totaled 12.2 million 

dozen, up 24 percent from July and up 21 percent from August

2018, with a value of $8.5 million, 29 percent above the prior

month but down 8 percent yearly. At 2.7 metric tons, the 

volume of egg products exported was up slightly from July and 

2 percent above August 2018. Egg product exports in August

were valued at $10.9 million, 2 percent below July and 6

percent below last year. Cumulative yearly exports of shell 

eggs are up 22 percent with a value down 17 percent. Total

egg product exports are down 9 percent in volume and down 

9 percent in value. Mexico, Canada and Brazil were the largest 

export destinations with Canada, Hong Kong and Mexico the 

major markets for shell eggs.

 

TURKEY

Production

The U.S. produced 624 million pounds of turkey on a ready-tocook basis in August, up 2 percent monthly and 20 percent 

yearly. Eggs in incubators on the first of September were down 

11 percent monthly and 6 percent yearly at 26 million eggs, 

while August poult placements fell 7 percent monthly and 3 

percent year-over-year, at 22.7 million.

As of the end of August, total turkey stocks in cold storage were 

7 percent below the August 2018 level but 1 percent above 

July. Whole frozen bird stocks were down 7 from last year with 

hens up 2 percent and toms down 15 percent. White meat 

stocks were 6 percent higher year-over-year, while dark meat 

stocks were down 40 percent.

Price

Whole frozen hens and toms both closed out September up 4

cents at 94 cents/lb., and both hen and tom prices were up 7

percent monthly, while hens were 17 and toms were 18 

percent above last year. Boneless/skinless (b/s) fresh tom 

breast prices were up slightly for the month at 208 cents/lb.

and 1 percent higher yearly. Fresh b/s tom thigh meat held 

steady on a monthly basis at 156 cents/lb., 20 percent higher 

than September 2018. Fresh tom drumsticks fell slightly to 71

cents/lb., 6 percent above last year. 

International Trade

In August, the U.S. exported 26.4 thousand metric tons of 

turkey products with a value of $64 million. This volume was 

18 percent greater than July and the value was 16 percent 

higher. Compared with August 2018, exports were up 20

percent in volume and 30 percent in value. Total 2019 exports 

to date outpace 2018 by 6 percent in volume and 7 percent in 

value. In August Mexico, Japan and the Dominican Republic 

were the top three export markets for U.S. turkey meat.

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 in August, at 5.1 billion 

pounds on a ready-to-cook basis, lost 1 percent from last year 

and 31 percent monthly. For the four weeks ending September

29, eggs set were down 17 percent and chicks placed were 

down 18 percent compared with the same period last year.

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

were 866 million pounds, up 6 percent from the end of July

2019 and down 7 percent from July 2018. Stocks of whole 

broilers were up 9 percent from both the previous month and 

prior year levels. Bone-in thighs in cold storage added 49

percent in August compared to July, and were down 19 percent 

year-over-year, while drumstick supplies gained 5 percent 

monthly and 17 percent yearly. Stocks of b/s breasts in 

freezers were 4 percent higher yearly and 2 percent above the 

month before. Cold storage of wings was up 11 percent for the 

month and down 35 percent from last year’s levels. Leg 

quarters were down 25 percent from last year and were up 22

percent monthly.

Price

Compared to August, whole broiler prices lost 4 cents, or 5

percent, falling in September to 77 cents/lb., 8 percent below 

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

breast prices shed 12 cents /lb. over the month, ending at 93

cents/lb., down 11 percent monthly and 2 percent lower than

2018. Wing prices lost 3 cents through September (2 percent)

to 188 cents per pound, 27 percent higher yearly. Bulk leg 

quarter prices also lost 10 percent of their value through 

September, falling 4 cents to 40 cents/lb., 31 percent above

2018. Boneless/skinless thigh meat prices also fell 4 cents to 

114 cents/lb., 4 percent below August and 1 percent below

2018. Bone-in thighs dropped 15 cents/lb. in September to 65

cents/lb., down 19 percent from August but up 28 percent 

from 2018. Drumsticks fell 4 cents to 41 cents/lb., a monthly 

loss of 8 percent but 3 percent above last year’s value. 

International Trade

August exports of chicken and chicken products totaled 273

thousand metric tons valued at $305 million. This is a decrease

in volume of 1 percent and a slight decrease in value compared 

with July. Year-over-year, this represents a 4 percent decrease 

in volume but a 9 percent increase in value. Year-to-date 

exports of chicken are up 1 percent in volume but down slightly

in value. Mexico, Cuba, Canada, Angola and Guatemala were 

the largest importers of U.S. broiler meat.

BEEF/VEAL

Production

August 2019 beef production was down 2 percent from last 

year but up 1 percent from last month at 2.34 billion pounds. 

Cattle slaughter numbers totaled 2.93 million head, down 2

percent year-over-year, and down slightly monthly. The 

average live weight was down 6 pounds from last year and up 

12 pounds from July at 1,338 pounds. Beef production for the 

year-to-date is up 1 percent from 2018. Veal production in 

August 2019 was 6.0 million pounds, down 8 percent on a 

yearly basis and 5 percent monthly. Calf slaughter volume 

equaled 50,900 head, down 3 percent yearly and 5 percent 

from July. The average live weight was steady with July at 205

pounds, and down 11 pounds yearly. Accumulated veal 

production was down 2 percent from last year.

Total beef in cold storage at the end of August was down 6

percent compared with the end of August 2018, and up 4

percent compared with July. Stocks of boneless beef were up 

4 percent monthly and down 5 percent yearly, while beef cuts 

were up 2 percent month-over-month and down 18 percent 

year-over-year. Veal stocks in freezers added 14 percent from

the prior month and were down 62 percent yearly.

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) fell $6 to $103 per 

cwt, 6 percent below both the August price and the September

2018 price. The monthly average beef cutout value lost $4 per 

cwt., to $221 per cwt. 7 percent higher than September 2018

but down 2 percent monthly. The 90 percent lean boneless 

beef monthly average price inched up $1 to $224 per cwt., 

continuing to run against the usual seasonal trend by ending 

up 11 percent year-over-year. Alternatively, the monthly 

average price for 50 percent lean trim prices stayed with the 

usual downward trend, losing $14 per cwt to $74 per cwt, 16 

percent below August but up 41 percent from last year. The 

average prices for hide-off veal carcasses added $2 per cwt. to 

$310, up 1 percent from last year.

International Trade

Compared to 2018, August 2019 beef and veal exports 

(including variety meats) were down 4 percent to 115

thousand MT while the export value was down 8 percent at

$690 million. The export volume and value were down 3 and 4

percent from July, respectively. Total exports for 2019 are 2

percent lower in volume and 1 percent lower in value 

compared to 2018. In August, South Korea, Japan and Mexico 

were again our largest export markets. Year-over-year beef 

import volumes for August were down 2 percent to 95

thousand MT and were 4 percent lower in value at $545

million. On a monthly basis volume fell 1 percent and value was

steady. Year-to-date beef imports are 1 percent higher relative 

to 2018, with value up 5 percent. Canada, Australia, Mexico, 

New Zealand and Brazil were the largest importers of beef to 

the U.S. in August 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 August totaled 2.3 billion pounds, down 3

from 2018, and up 2 percent from July. The number of hogs

slaughtered was 10.9 million head, down 3 percent from 

August 2018 and up 3 percent monthly. The average live 

weight was up 1 pound from last year and down 1 pound from 

last month at 279. Pork production through August 2019 is up 

4 percent from the same period in 2018. 

Total stocks of pork in cold storage at the end of August were 

down 1 percent from July but up 4 percent from last year. Ham 

inventories increased 11 percent month-over-month but lost 1

percent year-over-year, with stocks of bone-in hams up 11

percent monthly and down 12 percent yearly. Belly inventories 

were down 14 percent monthly but up 30 percent from last 

year. Total loin stocks lost 8 percent for the month with a 39

percent rise in loins in storage. Pork rib stocks lost 7 percent 

monthly but were up 2 percent yearly. Pork trimmings in 

freezers were 12 percent lower than July and 1 percent below

last year. 

Price

The monthly average negotiated carcass price for barrows and 

gilts in September dropped $22 per/lb. to $48 per cwt., down 

3 percent from last year. The pork cutout value lost $12 in 

September to a monthly average of $71 per cwt., down 5

percent from 2018. The monthly average price for trimmed, 

bone-in hams, 23-27 pounds lost $5 to end at $60 per cwt., up 

12 percent from last year. Prices for picnic meat combos, 

cushion out, fell $8 to close the month at $71 per cwt., 6

percent above 2018. 72 percent lean pork trimmings prices

declined $9 per cwt. to end the month at $57 per cwt, 5

percent higher than in September 2018. Pork belly primal 

values shed $48 per lb. (32 percent) to $100 per cwt., down 2

percent from September 2018. 

International Trade

Pork exports (including variety meats) in August 2019 were 

down 6 percent from the previous month at 216 thousand 

metric tons, and down 6 percent in value at $559 million.

Compared to last year, exports were 22 percent higher in both 

volume and value. The year-to-date volume of pork exports 

was up 4 percent and the value was up 1 percent. Japan,

Mexico, China, Canada and South Korea were our largest 

markets. Compared to last year, August pork imports were 4

percent lower in volume at 36 thousand MT, but 2 percent

higher in value at $133 million. Import volume and value were 

up from July by 1 and 4 percent, respectively. Total imports for 

2019 to date are down 11 percent in volume and 9 percent in 

value. Canada, Poland, Italy, Denmark and Spain were the top 

importers of pork to the U.S.

LAMB

Production

August lamb and mutton production, at 12.6 million pounds, 

was down 6 percent from August 2018 and up 6 percent from 

July. Sheep slaughter totaled 201,500 head, down 2 percent 

from last year and up 7 percent from July. The average live 

weight was 126 pounds, down 1 pounds from July and 5 

pounds from August 2018. Lamb and mutton production for 

the year so far is down 1 percent year-over-year. Lamb stocks 

in cold storage added 8 percent on a monthly basis in August

and were up 18 percent from a year ago.

Price

The negotiated live slaughter lamb price lost $3, or 2 percent 

from August to $151 per cwt., up 8 percent from last year. 

Volume rose 11 percent from August but was up 67 percent

year-over-year. The average lamb cutout value returned to the 

July level, up $4 per cwt. to close September at $397 per cwt, 

5 percent above 2018. The monthly average price for leg of 

lamb, trotter-off fell $7 to $381 per cwt., up 3 percent from the 

September 2018 average. The average price for lamb shoulder 

in September gained $2 percent to $325 per cwt., 13 percent 

above September 2018. Trimmed 4x4 loins lost $4 to close at

$517 per cwt., down 4 percent from last year. Legs, trotter-off 

added $4 to close September at $385 per cwt. up 6 percent 

from 2018. 

International Trade

The U.S. lamb exports lost 22 percent of both the volume and 

value in August relative to July, at 136.2 metric tons valued 

$0.87 million. This represents a year-over-year drop in volume 

of 5 percent, with a 3 percent increase in value. Netherlands 

Antilles, Italy and The Bahamas were the top destinations for 

U.S. lamb and mutton. Imports of lamb to the U.S. were down 

18 percent in August compared to July at 9.8 thousand metric 

tons, while the value of imports fell 15 percent to $81 million. 

Year-over-year imports were down 2 percent in volume but up 

8 percent in value. Cumulative imports were up 1 percent and 

value up 16 percent. Australia and New Zealand remain the 

largest sources of imported lamb with Chile rounding out the 

top three sources. 

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(USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and 

employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs 

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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. 

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

million pounds

Chicken B/S Thighs in Cold Storage

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

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 120

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

million pounds

Turkey Breasts in Cold Storage

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

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

million pounds

Boneless Hams in Cold Storage

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

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

thousand pounds

Total Lamb in Cold Storage

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg