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 3-21

March 2021

EGGS

Production

Table egg production fell 1 percent monthly in January to 688

million dozen, a 2 percent decrease from its 2020 level. Shell 

eggs broken fell 9 percent monthly to 178 million dozen, 21 

percent below its January 2020 level. See the graph for detail 

on decreased broken egg production. Inventories of table egg 

layers continue to track below 2020 seasonal levels. First-ofthe-month table egg layers-on-hand were again unchanged in 

February at 327 million, 2 percent below its 2020 level. Eggtype hatching-egg layers-on-hand fell 2 percent monthly to 3.3 

million but were up 1 percent yearly. 

Future indicators of egg production were slightly down in 

January. Pullet additions fell 6 percent monthly in January to 

27 million, a 2 percent decrease from 2020. Production of eggtype hatching eggs rose 1 percent monthly in January to 7.4

million dozen, a 3 percent increase from January 2020. Broiler 

hatching flock indicators signaled modest growth in January. 

Broiler-type hatching eggs layers-on-hand on the first of the 

month rose 2 percent monthly to 63.2 million, up 4 percent 

from February 2020. Broiler-type hatching egg production rose 

1 percent monthly to 98 million dozen, up 4 percent from its 

2020 level. 

Price

Prices of both shell and broken eggs had sharp increases in 

February. The New York shell egg price rose 18 percent 

monthly to $1.32 per dozen, up 21 percent from February 

2020. The monthly National Index price rose 9 percent monthly 

to $0.75 per dozen, up 22 percent yearly. The Central States 

Breaking Stock price rose 33 percent seasonally to $0.48 per 

dozen, up 58 percent from the February 2021 level. 

International Trade

In volume terms, U.S. shell egg exports in January fell 22

percent monthly to 11.4 million dozen, a 32 percent increase 

from 2020. In value terms, exports fell 21 percent monthly to 

$9.5 million, 20 percent above its previous year’s value. Hong 

Kong and Mexico led shell egg export destinations with 38 and 

37 percent of exports respectively by volume. Egg product 

exports increased 5 percent to 3.2 million MTs, up 7 percent 

yearly.

TURKEY

Production

In volume terms, U.S. shell egg exports in January fell 22

percent monthly to 11.4 million dozen, a 32 percent increase 

from 2020. In value terms, exports fell 21 percent monthly to 

$9.5 million, 20 percent above its previous year’s value. Hong 

Kong and Mexico led shell egg export destinations with 38 and 

37 percent of exports respectively by volume. Egg product 

exports increased 5 percent to 3.2 million MTs, up 7 percent 

yearly. 

Price

The prices for whole frozen hens and toms rose 1 percent 

monthly to $1.09 per pound, up 7 percent from February 2020. 

The prices for whole fresh hens and toms were down less than 

1 percent to be in the $1.23 to $1.24 per pound range, also up 

7 percent from February 2020. Turkey part price movements 

were mixed. The boneless, skinless turkey breast price rose 2 

percent in February to $1.70 per pound, down 6 percent from 

its February 2020 level. The tom drumstick price rose 26

percent in February to $0.88 per pound, up 19 percent yearly. 

The thigh meat price rose 24 percent to $1.48 per pound but

fell 4 percent from February 2020. 

International Trade

Turkey exports continued seasonal volume and value declines 

in January. In volume terms, turkey exports fell 18 percent to 

17 thousand MT, 12 percent below the January 2020 level. In 

value terms, exports fell 23 percent to $37.4 million, down 24 

percent yearly. Since its late September high, China’s share of 

turkey exports has receded 2020 average of 6.7 percent In 

January, the top turkey export destinations were, by volume, 

Mexico (66.2 percent), Canada (4.7 percent), Dominican 

Republic (3.7 percent), Peru (2.7 percent) and China (2.4

percent). See the graph for detail showing the recent decrease

in China’s share of U.S. poultry exports.
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 in 

January was down 3 percent monthly to 3.61 billion pounds, a 

9 percent decrease year-over-year. Similarly, broiler slaughter 

was down 3 percent monthly at 745 million head, a 9 percent 

decrease yearly. Broiler eggs set fell 4 percent in February to 

938 million, down 5 percent from the previous year’s level. 

Broiler chicks placed fell 8 percent monthly to 739 million, 

down 6 percent yearly. A similar comparison of weekly data 

has the 4-week averages of broiler egg set down 2 percent and 

placements down 3 percent compared to 2020 levels. 

Total stocks of chicken in cold storage at the end of January fell 

5 percent monthly to 818 million pounds, down 15 percent 

from 2020. Stocks of whole broilers rose 1 percent monthly but 

fell 35 percent yearly. Among parts with year-over-year 

increasing stocks, breasts and bone-in thighs in cold storage 

were up yearly by 7 percent and 76 percent respectively. 

Among parts with year-over-year decreasing stocks, drums, leg 

quarters, and legs were down 7 percent, 37 percent, and 12 

percent yearly. Also, boneless thighs and wings were down 42 

and 27 percent yearly. 

Price

The National Composite Whole Body broiler price edged up 1 

percent in February to $0.83 per pound, down 1 percent from 

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

22 percent to $1.33, up 50 percent yearly. The bone-in breast 

price rose 1 percent to $1.08 per pound, up 8 percent yearly. 

Bone-in thigh prices fell 2 percent to $0.46 per pound, down 

16 percent yearly. Tenderloin prices rose 12 percent to $1.84

per pound, up 34 percent yearly. Dark meat leg quarters 

increased 16 percent monthly to $0.34 per pound, still 14 

percent below its February 2020 level. 

Boneless skinless thigh prices rose 31 percent monthly to $0.84

per pound, 17 percent below last year's price. Drumstick prices 

were up 8 percent monthly at $0.44 per pound, down 3 

percent from its February 2020 level. Wing prices pushed 

further past last month’s record high to $2.78 per pound, 14 

percent higher on a monthly basis and 54 percent higher 

yearly. 

International Trade

In volume terms, January chicken exports rose 2 percent to 282 

thousand MT, up 4 percent from January 2020 level. In value 

terms, exports fell 4 percent to $261 million, down 5 percent 

yearly. In January, the top chicken export destinations were, 

by volume, Mexico (21 percent), Cuba (8 percent), Angola (7

percent), China (7 percent), and Taiwan (4.9 percent). As with 

its imports of turkey, China’s share of chicken imports has 

receded from its 9.2 percent average in 2020. See the graph

for detail showing the recent decrease in China’s share.

BEEF/VEAL

Production

January 2020 beef production totaled 2.31 billion pounds, 3

percent higher than in January 2020 and 5 percent higher than 

December 2020. Cattle slaughter was 2.74 million head, up 5

percent year-over-year and 2 percent monthly. The average 

live weight rose 24 pounds yearly and was up 10 pounds from

December to 1,399 pounds. Veal production in January 2020 

was 4.6 million pounds, 2 percent lower both monthly and 

yearly. Calf slaughter totaled 32,300 head, down 35 percent 

yearly and 20 percent monthly. The average live calf weight 

added 23 pounds to the January 2020 weight, and was 5 

pounds higher monthly at 247 pounds. Total beef in cold 

storage at the end of January rose 6 percent compared with 

January 2020 and was up 4 percent monthly. Stocks of

boneless beef gained 6 percent from last year and 4 percent 

from December. Beef cuts in freezers fell 3 percent monthly

but added 15 percent year-over-year. Veal supplies were up 7

percent from the previous month and up 39 percent yearly.

Price

The February average Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and 

heifers) continued its upward swing, adding $3 per cwt (3 

percent) to $114, yet lost 4 percent against February 2020. The 

average beef cutout value jumped $21 to $236 per cwt, a 10

percent increase monthly and 14 percent higher yearly. 90

percent lean boneless beef rose $9 to $226 per cwt, a gain of 4

percent from January 2021 but down 4 percent from last year. 

The January 50 percent lean trim average gave back $2 for an 

average of $48, a loss of 4 percent from January and 16 percent

from last February. The average price for hide-off veal 

carcasses gained a modest $1 to $294 per cwt, slightly higher

than the prior month, but remaining 4 percent below the 2020

level.

International Trade

Compared to last year, January 2021 beef and veal exports 

(including variety meats) saw a gain of 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. In January about one-quarter of beef

exports were sent to South Korea and Japan, with Mexico, 

Canada and China completing the top five markets. Year-overyear beef import volumes for January 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. Canada imported nearly 30 

percent of the beef trade to the U.S. with Mexico, Australia and 

New Zealand the source of 15 to 20 percent of imported 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 January was 2.48 billion pounds, up 5

percent monthly and 8 percent yearly. The number of hogs 

slaughtered was 11.2 million head, 5 percent lower than 2020

and 2 percent below December. Average live hog weight rose 

5 pounds yearly and 1 pound monthly at 295 pounds. Stocks of

all pork in cold storage at the end of January were up 10

percent from December and down 27 percent from last year. 

Ham inventories lost 13 percent relative to December and also 

fell 27 percent from January 2020. Stocks of bone-in hams 

declined 19 percent monthly and 42 percent yearly, while

boneless hams added 30 percent monthly and 19 percent

yearly. Belly inventories rose 34 percent month-over-month

but shed 56 percent compared to January 2020. Total loin 

stocks were up 8 percent from December but were down 20

percent yearly. Pork trimmings in freezers lost 3 percent 

monthly and 23 percent yearly.

Price

The monthly average negotiated carcass price for barrows and 

gilts in February 2021 jumped $14 to $68 per cwt, a gain of 26

percent monthly and 42 percent yearly. The pork cutout value 

increased $8, or 10 percent to $88 per cwt, adding 36 percent 

to last year’s value. Prices of boneless center cut loins,

recaptured $1, or 1 percent, for a monthly average of $117 per 

cwt, 17 percent over last February. The price for trimmed, 

selected hams, 23-27 pounds continued to grow, up $8 to $70

per cwt, 14 percent above January 2021 and 18 percent yearly. 

The 72 percent lean pork trimmings price rose $6 to average

$86 per cwt, 8 percent higher monthly and 59 percent higher 

year-over-year. Prices for picnic meat combos, cushion out,

jumped $14 to $102 per cwt, adding 16 percent monthly and 

37 percent yearly. Pork belly primal values again had a strong 

performance, up $21 in February to $145 per cwt, 16 percent

above the prior month and 96 percent above the prior year. 

International Trade

Exports of pork were down 8 percent from January 2020

volume at 253 thousand metric tons, falling 10 percent in value 

to $659 million. Compared to December, export volume was 

slightly higher while value was down 1 percent. 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 24 percent of pork export value. 

Compared to last year, January 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 December

with value down 16 percent. More than half of pork imports in

January came from Canada, with Denmark Italy, Poland, and 

Mexico each sending 5 to 10 percent of imported pork.

LAMB

Production

January lamb and mutton production was 10.4 million pounds, 

down 2 percent from December and 5 percent lower yearly. 

Sheep slaughter totaled 161,800 head, declining 18 percent 

monthly and 11 percent yearly. The average live weight was up 

8 pounds from last month but was 1 pound lower than last year

at 12 pounds. Lamb stocks in cold storage were down 34

percent from 2020 and 2 percent lower monthly.

Price

Negotiated live slaughter lamb average price for this period 

rose $5 to $164 per cwt, up 3 percent monthly, and 2 percent

year-over-year. The lamb cutout value held steady in February

at $448 per cwt, 6 percent higher yearly. Leg of lamb, trotteroff (IMPS 233C) added $14 for an average of $417 per cwt, up 

4 percent monthly and 6 percent yearly. The average price for 

lamb shoulder (IMPS 207), depicted in the graphs below for the 

lovers of Irish lamb stew, again fell $1 in February compared to 

the prior month at $364 per cwt but remained up 12 percent 

from February 2020. Ground lamb (IMPS 296) dropped $49 to 

$555 per cwt, 8 percent lower than January and steady with

last year. 

International Trade

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

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

percent in value, at 187 metric tons with a value of $878,000. 

January export value was down 45 percent from 2020, with 

value down 34 percent. The destinations for the highest 

volume of lamb exports were Bermuda, Mexico, and the 

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

January compared to December at 10.3 thousand metric tons, 

while the value of importsrose 15 percent to $88 million. Yearover-year imports were 5 percent lower in volume and 6

percent lower in value. Roughly 80 percent of lamb imports 

were from Australia and 20 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. 

250.0

275.0

300.0

325.0

350.0

375.0

400.0

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

dollars per hundredweight

Monthly Lamb Shoulder, Sq-Cut Price

2021 2020 2017-2019 avg

400.0

500.0

600.0

700.0

800.0

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

dollars per hundredweight

Beef Brisket, Point/off, bnls (120A 3)

2021 2020 avg 2017-2019

178 

140

150

160

170

180

190

200

210

220

230

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

thousand dozens

Monthly Shell Eggs Broken (1,000 doz)

2020 2017-2019 avg 2021

0.0%

3.0%

6.0%

9.0%

12.0%

15.0%

Jan-20 Mar-20 May-20 Jul-20 Sep-20 Nov-20 Jan-21

China's Share of U.S. Poultry Exports Turkey Broiler