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 06-19

June 2019

EGGS

Production

Table egg production in April was 702 million dozen, 4 percent 

above last April. Broiler-type hatching egg production in April 

was up 2 percent compared to 2018. There were 1.11 billion 

broiler-type hatching eggs produced. Egg-type hatching egg 

production was 90 million eggs, 7 percent higher than last year. 

Shell eggs broken totaled 205 million dozen during April, up 10 

percent from April a year ago, and up 7 percent from the 191 

million dozen broken in March.

The number of table-egg layers in the national flock on May 1 

was up 3 percent compared to 2018 at 341 million birds. 

Hatching egg layers for the table egg flock fell slightly over last 

year to 63 million birds, and the broiler-type hatching egg flock 

increased slightly to 59 million birds. The number of pullets 

added during April for all types of egg production was down 3 

percent year-over-year at 28 million.

Price

Egg prices lost 11 cents to close the month at 56 cents for one 

dozen Large Grade A eggs in the New York wholesale market, 

49 percent lower than 2018. Breaking stock prices dropped 10 

cents/dozen to close at 17 cents/dozen, for a year-over-year 

loss of 74 percent.

International Trade

U.S. shell egg exports in April totaled 20 million dozen with a 

value of $38 million. This was an increase in volume of 4 

percent and a fall of 7 percent in value compared with March. 

It is also a gain in volume of 20 percent with value down 4 

percent compared with April 2018. Egg product exports in 

April were valued at $9 million, 19 percent below March and 

down 24 percent from last year. 

Cumulative yearly exports of shell eggs and egg products are 

up 8 and down 21 percent in volume, respectively, and down 1 

and 23 percent, respectively, in value. Mexico, Canada, Hong 

Kong, Brazil and Japan were the five largest importers of U.S. 

eggs and egg products in April.

TURKEY

Production

The United States produced 481 million pounds of turkey on a 

ready-to-cook basis in April. Daily production was up 2 percent 

compared with March and down 3 percent compared with last 

April. Average dressed weights were up 1 percent for the 

month and 9 percent for the year. Eggs in incubators on the 

first of May were up 2 percent from last year, and poult 

placements in the month of April were down 5 percent, yearover-year.

As of April 30 total turkey stocks in cold storage were 5 percent 

below the April 2018 level. Compared to March, total turkey 

stocks were slightly higher. Whole frozen birds were 8 percent 

lower yearly, with hens down 5 percent and toms down 10 

percent. White meat stocks were up 9 percent year-over-year, 

while dark meat stocks were down 10 percent.

Price

Whole frozen hens ended up 2 cents to 86 cents/lb., while 

whole frozen toms also added 2 cents, and ended at 84 

cents/lb., both 6 percent higher than last year. 

Boneless/skinless (B/S) breast prices held steady 207 cents/lb., 

12 percent higher yearly. B/S thigh meat also rose 21 cents to 

144 cents/lb., 12 percent above 2018, and tom drumsticks 

closed up 3 cents at 68 cents/lb., 12 percent above last year.

International Trade

In April, the United States exported 25 thousand metric tons 

of turkey products with a value of $52 million. This volume 

was 4 percent higher than March and the value was 2 percent 

higher. Compared with April 2018, exports were up 8 percent 

in volume and down slightly in value. Total 2019 exports to 

date are lower than for the same period in 2018 by 1 percent 

in volume and 6 percent in value. The top five destinations 

for exports of turkey in April were Mexico, Benin, Canada, 

South Africa and Japan.

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

Chicken production totaled 3.59 billion pounds on a on a readyto-cook basis in April. Daily production was down 5 percent 

from March and down 6 percent from April 2018, with dressed 

weights 5 percent lower than March and 3 percent lower than 

April. For the four weeks ending May 30, eggs set were up 1.5 

percent and chicks placed were up 1.8 percent compared with 

the same period last year.

Total stocks of chicken in cold storage on April 30 were 870 

million pounds, up 3 percent from the end of March 2019 but 

down 3 percent from April 2018. Whole broilers remain high 

on a yearly basis (up 24 percent) but were down 9 percent 

monthly. Thighs in cold storage also remain high, up 29 

percent year-over year, and up 3 percent monthly, while 

drumstick supplies were up 39 percent yearly but down 3 

percent monthly. Breasts in freezers were 9 percent lower 

yearly but up 3 percent from the month before. Cold storage 

of wings was lower than 2018 by 13 percent, and down 1 

percent monthly. Leg quarters remain down 27 percent from 

last year and were down 10 percent monthly.

Price

Whole broiler prices followed the seasonal pattern during the 

first half of May, but in the second half lost its previous gains 

to close the month back at 100 cents per pound, 17 percent 

below the 2018 price. Boneless/skinless (B/S) breast prices lost 

ground all through the month, following last year’s pattern, but 

not the historical pattern, ending down 13 cents to close the 

month at 114 cents/lb., 4 percent below last year. Leg quarter 

prices added 4 cents to 47 cents/lb., 22 percent higher than in 

2018. B/S thigh meat increased 6 cents to 125 cents/lb., 8 

percent more than 2018. Drumsticks closed up 5 cents at 41 

cents/lb., 4 percent below last year. Wing prices fell through 

the month, accelerating the lost in the latter portion of May, 

down 13 cents to 186 cents per pound, still 38 percent above 

2018.

International Trade

April exports of chicken and chicken products totaled 247 

thousand metric tons valued at $246 million. This is a decrease 

in volume of 8 percent and a 3 percent decrease in value 

compared with March. Year-over-year, this represents a 7 

percent decrease in volume and a 13 percent decrease in 

value. Year-to-date exports of chicken are down 1 percent in 

volume and down 10 percent in value. In April, our five largest 

export destinations for chicken were Mexico, Canada, Taiwan, 

Hong Kong and Guatemala.

BEEF/VEAL

Production

With one additional day of operation, April 2019 beef 

production, was up 7 percent from last year, and up 7 percent 

monthly at 2.26 billion pounds. Cattle slaughter numbers 

totaled 2.83 million head, up 7 7 percent on both a monthly 

and a yearly basis. The average live weight was down 11 

pounds from last year, at 1,328 pounds. Beef production for 

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

April 2019 was 6.0 million pounds, down 2 percent on a yearly 

basis but down 6 percent monthly. Calf slaughter volume 

equaled 42,800 head, 6 percent lower than the month before 

and flat yearly. The average live weight was 4 pounds lower 

than last year, at 221 pounds. Accumulated veal production 

was down 1 percent from last year.

Total beef in cold storage was down 5 percent compared with 

the end of March 2018, and down 9 percent compared with 

last April. Stocks of boneless beef were 6 percent lower 

monthly and down 9 percent yearly, while beef cuts were up 

14 percent month-over-month and down 6 percent year-overyear. Veal stocks in freezers rose to 19 percent over the prior 

month but were down 73 percent yearly.

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) steadily lost ground 

in May, falling from $127 to $116 per cwt, 16 percent lower 

than the May 2018 closing price. The beef cutout value 

dropped $10, to finish the month at $223 per cwt, 2 percent 

below last year. The 90 percent lean boneless beef price slowly 

added $3 through May to close at $224 per cwt, 1 percent 

above 2018. 50 percent lean trim prices fell $3 per cwt to $87 

per cwt, 5 percent above last year. Packer-owned veal 

carcasses lost $1 t0 $309 per cwt, down slightly from 2018, 

while non-packer owned veal carcasses fell $3 to $303 per cwt, 

down slightly from 2018. The veal cutout average remained at 

$395 per cwt, down 6 percent from last year.

International Trade

Compared to 2018, April 2019 beef and veal exports (including 

variety meats) were down 5 percent to 105 thousand MT while 

the export value fell slightly to $674 million. The export volume 

and value were down by 2 and 1 percent, respectively, from 

March. Total exports for 2019 were 4 percent lower in volume, 

and 1 percent lower in value than 2018. South Korea, Japan 

and Mexico were our largest export markets in April 2018. 

Year-over-year beef import volumes for April were up 18 

percent to 98 thousand MT and were up 19 percent in value to 

$553 million. Compared to March, beef import volume and 

value were up 1 and less than 1 percent, respectively. Year-todate beef imports are 7 percent higher relative to 2018, with 

value up 8 percent. Australia, Canada and Mexico were the 

largest importers of beef to the U.S. in the first month of 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 for April was yet another monthly recordbreaking 2.27 billion pounds, up 6 from 2018, and down 1 

percent from March. Hog slaughter totaled 10.7 million head, 

up 6 percent from April 2018 and down 1 percent monthly. The 

average live weight was equal to last years at 287 pounds. For 

2019 so far, pork production was up 4 percent yearly.

April 2019 stocks of pork in cold storage were up 2 percent 

March and down 2 percent from last year. Ham inventories 

increased 17 percent month-over-month and 8 percent yearover-year. Belly inventories were up 4 percent monthly and 

down 5 percent from last year. Boneless loin stocks lost 2 

percent to last month’s inventory and 10 percent for the year. 

Pork trimmings in freezers fell 13 percent monthly and 16 

percent yearly.

Price

The negotiated carcass price for barrows and gilts held fairly 

close to the $80 per cwt level through May 2019, but had a loss 

of $4 near the end, finishing the month at $76 per cwt, 19 

percent above 2018. The pork cutout value was slightly more 

variable but closed the month down $2 at $84 per cwt, up 9 

percent from 2018. Trimmed, bone-in hams, 23-27 pounds 

prices had a strong gain of $8, closing at $82 per cwt, 31 

percent above the 2018 price. Picnic meat combos, cushion 

out, ended the month down $4 to $95 per cwt, 22 percent 

above the prior year price. Pork trim, 72 percent lean also had 

some variability, but finished the month unchanged at $86 per 

cwt, up 44 percent from 2018. Pork belly primal values shed 

nearly $30 through the month, to $115 per cwt, 3 percent 

below 2018.

International Trade

Pork exports (including variety meats) in April 2019 were down 

6 percent from 2018 to 211 thousand MT, and the value was 

down 8 percent at $506 million. Pork export volume and value 

gained 3 percent each from March. The year-to-date volume 

of pork exports was down 6 percent and the value down 13 

percent. The largest overseas markets for U.S. pork were 

Japan, Mexico and South Korea. Compared to last year, April 

pork imports were 17 percent lower in volume at 36 thousand 

MT, and down 13 percent in value to $128 million. Import 

volume and value were down from March by 14 and 8 percent, 

respectively. Total imports for 2019 so far were 10 percent 

lower in volume and 10 percent lower in value. The countries 

of Canada, Poland and Italy imported the largest volumes of 

pork to the U.S. in April 2019.

LAMB

Production

April lamb and mutton production, at 15.2 million pounds, was 

23 percent above the April 2018 production (with one less 

slaughter day) and 17 percent above March’s production. 

Sheep slaughter totaled 235,700 head, 30 percent above last 

year and up 24 percent monthly. The average live weight was 

129 pounds, down 3 pounds from April a year ago. Lamb and 

mutton production for the year so far was down 5 percent year 

over year. Lamb stocks increased to 20 percent above the prior 

year and were up 32 percent monthly.

Price

The negotiated live slaughter lamb price bounced between 

$154 and $158 per cwt through May, closing up $5 at $158 per 

cwt, 3 percent below 2018. The lamb cutout also had ups and 

downs through May, ending $8 higher at $392 per cwt, 5 

percent higher than in 2018. Leg of lamb, trotter-off prices 

increased through the month, gaining $15 to close at $386 per 

cwt, 6 percent above the 2018 price. From the start to the 

middle of May, boneless lamb shoulder prices jumped more

than $60 per cwt, but the second half of the month shed most 

of the gains, ending up $3 to $538 per cwt, 2 percent below last 

year.

International Trade

April 2019 lamb exports fell 8 percent from the 2018 level to 

167 MT but rose 17 percent in value to $1.3 million. Compared 

to March, export volume was 4 percent lower while the export 

value held steady. Total lamb export volume for 2019 to date 

was 17 percent higher than 2018, at a value which was 19 

percent higher. Panama, The Bahamas and Canada were the 

largest export markets for U.S. lamb and mutton in April. Lamb 

imports in April 2019 were up 36 percent from 2018 at 12 

thousand MT, while the value of imports was up 55 percent to 

$109 million. Compared to March, the import volume and 

value fell 1 and 2 percent, respectively. Cumulative imports 

were up1 percent and the value was up 32 percent. Australia, 

New Zealand and Chile were the largest sources of lamb and 

mutton imports to the US in April 2019.

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. 

3.0

3.2

3.4

3.6

3.8

4.0

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

million pounds

Ready-to-Cook Chicken Production

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

400

450

500

550

600

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

million pounds

Ready -to-Cook Turkey Production

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

1.75

2.00

2.25

2.50

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

billion poounds

Monthly Commercial Beef Production

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

1.8

2.0

2.2

2.4

2.6

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

million pounds

Monthly Commercial Pork Production

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg
Americans like their 

iced tea either sweetened or 

unsweetened. Sweet tea (aka “tea”) 

is widely associated with the South 

while unsweetened (“black”) is 

popular in the North.

Americans drink 

 over 3 billion

 gallons of

 Iced Tea 

 each year!

All true teas come from 

the Camelia sinensis plant.

Black tea, the base for 

iced tea, is the most 

consumed tea in the US.

The oldest known recipe for 

sweet tea comes from 

Virginia in 1877.

Tea bags were invented in 

1908 in U.S. by Thomas 

Sullivan.

The popularity of Iced Tea 

paralleled the development 

of refrigeration.

In 2018, 48% of black tea 

used in the U.S. was 

imported from Argentina

Iced tea was 

popularized during 

the 1904 

World’s Fair

 Junius Smith 

 successfully grew tea

 in South Carolina 

in 1848 

The only large-scale 

commercial tea 

plantation in the U.S., 

the Charleston Tea 

Plantation, is located on 

Wadmalaw Island.

Black tea is fermented, 

which blackens the leaves 

and causes the formation of 

caffeine and tannins.

75% of global tea 

production is black

On December 16, 

1773, Colonists 

protesting the Stamp

Act threw 342 chests 

of tea into Boston 

Harbor - The Boston 

Tea Party 

In the early 1900’s, 

teaspoons and tall 

glasses were 

developed specifically 

for iced tea drinking.

China is the 

world’s top 

producer of tea 

followed by India.

Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics; Tea Association of America