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, Poultry, and Seed, Agricultural Analytics Division Volume 8-15

August 2015

EGGS

Production

June table egg production totaled 525 million dozen, down 11 

percent from June 2014 as the effects of High Pathogenic 

Avian Influenza (HPAI) were fully felt. On July 1, the number 

of birds in the table egg flock was 270 million, down 11 

percent compared to a year earlier. Egg-type hatching egg 

production was 78 million eggs, down 1 percent from a year 

ago. There were 1.0 billion broiler-type hatching eggs 

produced in June, up 5 percent from last year. The broilertype laying flock on July 1 was 54.7 million hens, up 3 percent 

from 2014. Shell eggs broken totaled 192 million dozen 

during June 2014, down 2 percent from June a year ago, and 

16 percent above the 166 million broken in May.

Price

Egg prices spiked in early June as a result of shortages due to 

HPAI, but prices fell back as the markets sorted themselves 

out. Then, beginning in mid-July, prices soared again. The 

price of one dozen large Grade A eggs in the New York 

wholesale market reached 263 cents/dozen at the end of July, 

an all-time high, and continued rising at the beginning of 

August. Breaking stock prices followed a similar pattern, 

beginning July at 156 cents/dozen and climbed most of the 

month, reaching 237 cents/dozen, also an all-time high.

International Trade

The U.S. exported 10.0 million dozen shell eggs in June, 8 

percent below May in terms of volume and 1 percent below 

in terms of value. Compared to last June, exports of shell 

eggs were down 24 percent in volume but even in value. For 

the first 6 months of 2015, exports of shell eggs were up 4 

percent in volume and 16 percent in value compared to 2014. 

Egg products exports in June were valued at $6.7 million, 

down 42 percent from May and 52 percent from June 2014. 

The top five export destinations for eggs and egg products in 

June were Canada, Mexico, Indonesia, Japan, and Brazil.

LAMB

Production

June lamb and mutton production was up 13 percent from 

May but was equal to 2014 production, at 13.4 million 

pounds. Sheep slaughter totaled 193,900 head, 15 percent 

higher than last month and 0.5 percent above last year. The 

average live weight was 139 pounds, up 1 pound from June a 

year ago. Accumulated year-to-date lamb and mutton 

production was down 4 percent from last year. Lamb and 

mutton supplies in cold storage were 4 percent lower than 

last month, and 18 percent higher than in June 2014. 

Price

Negotiated live slaughter lamb prices held steady through July 

$159 per cwt, 6 percent above the 2014 price and 13 percent 

above the 2011-2013 average. The lamb cutout fell $5 to end 

at $352 per cwt, 1 percent below the 2014 price and 6 

percent above the historical average. Leg of lamb, trotter off 

prices lost $13 in July to close at $337 per cwt, 6 percent 

below 2014 and up slightly from the 2011-2013 average. 

Boneless lamb shoulder prices rose $5 to $543 per cwt, up 1 

percent from the 2014 price, but 27 percent above the 

historical average.

International Trade

Lamb exports were down 47 percent from 2014 levels to 160 

metric tons, and were down 49 percent in value to $853,000. 

Compared to May, export volume was down 32 percent and 

export value was 13 percent lower. Year-to-date lamb exports 

are down 34 percent in volume and 35 percent in value from 

2014. Mexico, Canada and the Leeward Islands were the 

largest export markets of lamb and mutton in May. June U.S. 

lamb imports were up 37 percent over 2014 to 8,360 MT, and 

the value of imports rose 24 percent to $65 million. On a 

monthly basis, the volume and value of lamb imports 

increased 23 and 32 percent, respectively, from May levels. 

Australia, New Zealand and Chile were the largest importers.

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

U.S. broiler production in June totaled 3.4 billion pounds on a 

ready-to-cook basis. Daily production was down 4 percent 

compared to May, but up 2 percent compared to June 2014. 

The year-over-year increase was entirely due to increased 

slaughter weights. The pace of production growth may be 

slowing. After several months of year-over-year increases of 

2 – 3 percent in eggs set, for the four weeks ending August 1, 

eggs set were up 0.5 percent. Chicks placed during the same 

period were up 2 percent. 

All chicken items in cold storage on June 30 fell 3 percent 

compared to the end of May, but were up 22 percent 

compared to June 2014. Inventories of most chicken items 

were unusually low during much of 2014. Whole broiler 

stocks were up 17 percent month-over-month and were up 

151 percent year-over-year. Breast meat items were up 1 

percent from May and up 30 percent from 2014. All dark 

meat items were down 13 percent compared to May but 

were up 29 percent compared to 2014. Leg quarter 

inventories were down 16 percent from May but up 39 

percent compared to last year. Wing holdings were up 10 

percent month-over-month but down 25 percent year-overyear.

Price

Prices for most broiler products fell in July. The National 

composite whole broiler price fell 23 cents, or 22 percent, 

during July to close at 81 cents/lb. Most parts prices followed 

suit. Leg quarter prices fell 3 cents (14 percent) to 17 

cents/lb., their lowest weekly value since April 2006. 

Boneless/skinless (B/S) breast meat fell 9 cents (6 percent) to 

134 cents/lb. and B/S thigh meat fell 13 cents (12 percent) to 

98 cents/lb. Drumsticks fell 9 cents (21 percent) to 32 

cents/lb. The only bright spot for producers was the price of 

wings, rising a little over a penny to 182 cents/lb.

International Trade

U.S. producers in June exported 256 thousand metric tons of 

chicken items valued at $262 million. This is down 2 percent 

in volume and 8 percent in value compared to May and down 

9 percent in volume and 23 percent in value compared to 

June 2014. For the first half of 2015, exports were down 9 

percent in volume and 16 percent in value compared to the 

same period in 2014. The top five export destinations for U.S. 

broiler exports in June were Mexico, Canada, Taiwan, Hong 

Kong, and Angola.

BEEF/VEAL

Production

June beef production, at 2.0 billion pounds, was 4 percent 

higher than May’s volume, and 3 percent below June 2014, 

despite one additional weekday of production. 2.47 million 

head cattle were slaughtered, up 4 percent from last month 

but down 5 percent from last year. Average live weights grew 

25 pounds from 2014, at 1,332 pounds. Commercial veal 

production in June was 7.0 million pounds, 6 percent more 

than in May and 7 percent below last June. Calf slaughter 

totaled 35,200 head, also up 6 percent from May, but down 

22 percent from 2014. The average live weight was up 52 

pounds from last year, at 336 pounds. January to June 2015 

commercial beef production was down 4 percent from last 

year, while veal was down 20 percent. At 430 million pounds, 

total beef in freezers in June was down 2 percent from May 

but up 30 percent from June 2014. Boneless beef supplies 

were 2 percent lower than the previous month, but 34 

percent above year ago levels. The stock of beef cuts was 

down 5 percent from last month and down 1 percent from 

last year. Lowered production was reflected in veal stocks, 

which were down 32 percent on a monthly basis and down 4 

percent on a yearly basis.

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) fell again through 

July to $146 per cwt, 35 percent above the 2014 price and 42 

percent above the 2011-2013 average. The beef cutout value 

fell nearly $20 to $233 per cwt, 11 percent lower than last 

year but 30 percent above the historical average. 90 percent 

lean boneless beef prices fell $9 to $285 per cwt, 3 percent 

below 2014 but 45 percent above the 2011-2013 average. 

Beef trim, 50 percent began to inch up at the end of July, but 

closed the month down $10 to $68 per cwt, 55 percent lower 

than in 2014 and 13 percent below the 2011-2013 average. 

Packer-owned veal carcasses gained $1 to $454 per cwt while 

non-packer owned veal carcasses fell $3 to $450 per cwt. The 

veal cutout fell $5 to $585 per cwt, 13 percent above last year 

and 31 percent over the 2011-2013 average.

International Trade

Compared to 2014, June 2015 beef and veal exports fell 9 

percent to 97 thousand MT while the export value fell 8 

percent to $579 million. This volume is up 9 percent and the 

value is 4 percent higher than in May. Total exports for the 

year so far remain down 10 percent in volume but value is 

down only slightly from 2014. Canada, Japan and South Korea 

were our largest export markets in June. Year-over-year beef 

import volumes were 32 percent higher at 117 thousand MT, 

and were up 42 percent in value to $681 million. Compared to 

May, beef imports were up 10 percent in volume and 11 

percent in value. Total beef imports for the year are up from 

2014 by 35 percent in volume and 55 percent in value. 

Australia, New Zealand and Mexico were the largest 

importers of beef in June.
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 totaled 2.00 billion pounds, up 14 percent 

from May; 15 percent from June 2014. Hog slaughter totaled 

9.43 million head, up 16 percent from June 2014. The average 

live weight was down 3 pounds from the previous year, at 282 

pounds. Accumulated year-to-date pork production was up 7 

percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 3 

percent from May and but, with improvements in the PEDv 

situation, were up 18 percent from last June to 632 million 

pounds. Bone-in picnics in cold storage were 19 percent 

lower than the prior month, but up 15 percent from last year. 

Total hams were up 14 percent on a monthly basis and 43 

percent yearly. Total loins were down 5 percent, ribs were 

down 19 percent, and butts were up 9 percent. On a yearover-year basis, loins and ribs were up 36 and 22 percent, 

respectively, and butts were 10 percent higher. Pork 

trimmings in freezers were 7 percent below the previous 

month, but 8 percent above the prior year. Stocks of pork 

bellies reflected strength in the market at 31 percent lower 

than last month, and 47 percent below June 2014.

Price

The negotiated carcass price for barrows and gilts ended the 

month of July with not net gain, at $74 per cwt, 41 percent 

lower than 2014 and 21 percent below the 2011-2013 

average. The pork cutout gained some strength in July, rising 

to $86 per cwt, 34 percent below 2014. Trimmed, bone-in 

hams, 23-27 pounds, continued to fall through much of July, 

but regained some losses to close at $62 per cwt, 57 percent 

below the 2014 value and 29 percent below the historical 

average. Picnic meat combos, cushion out, turned sharply 

down to $67 per cwt, 54 percent below the 2014 price, and 

34 percent under the 2011-2013 average. Pork trim, 72 

percent lean, also saw a steep drop to $57 per cwt, 55 

percent below the 2014 price and 23 percent below the 2011-

2013 average. Pork belly primals climbed nearly $40 to $154 

per cwt, only 3 percent lower than both the 2014 and the 

2011-2013 average.

International Trade

June pork exports (including variety meats) fell 3 percent over 

last year to 171 thousand MT while the value fell 23 percent 

to $439 million. Pork export volume and value were down 6 

and 8 percent, respectively, from May 2015. Year-to-date 

export volume is 5 percent lower, while value is down 17 

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

Japan, Mexico and Canada. Compared to 2014, June pork 

imports were 24 percent lower in volume to 44 thousand MT, 

but were down 1 percent in value to $148 million. Pork 

import volumes increased from the prior month by 17 

percent and were up 20 percent in value. Cumulative imports 

for 2015 rose 20 percent from 2014, though the value was 

down 5 percent. Canada, Italy and Denmark were the largest 

importers.

TURKEY

Production

Turkey production in June was 455 million pounds on a readyto-cook basis. Daily production was down 10 percent 

compared to June 2014 as a consequence of bird losses due 

to High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Producers appear 

to be recovering as the worst of the HPAI outbreak has 

receded; June poult placements were down only 2 percent 

compared to last year and eggs in incubators on July 1 were 

down 4 percent. Total inventories of turkey on June 30 were 

down only 1 percent compared to June 2014. Whole hens in 

cold storage were actually up 2 percent year-over-year, but 

whole toms were down 8 percent. Stocks of white meat were 

even with year-prior levels, but dark meat stocks were up 73 

percent, possibly because of export restrictions due to HPAI.

Price

Whole turkey prices surged in June following the losses of 

nearly 8 million birds to HPAI. During July, whole hen prices 

have stabilized at 120 – 122 cents/lb., but whole tom prices 

have been more volatile. After trading most of the month at 

about the same levels as hens, the price of toms surged to 

128 cents/lb. the last week of July, an all-time high value. The 

price of boneless/skinless (B/S) breast meat also surged in 

June, and throughout July has set one record weekly high 

after another; it closed the month at 553 cents/lb. On the 

other hand, dark meat prices were flat through July. B/S thigh 

meat prices were within a penny of their month-end value of 

139 cents/lb., and tom drums traded at 61 cents/lb. all 

month.

International Trade

The U.S. exported in June 18.9 thousand metric tons of turkey 

with a value of $47 million. This was an increase of 7 percent 

in volume and 5 percent in value compared to May, but was a 

decline of 40 percent in volume and 29 percent in volume 

compared to June 2014, as exports continued to feel the 

effects of decreased supplies and closed borders as a result of 

HPAI. Turkey exports for the first half of the year were down 

21 percent in volume and 15 percent in value compared to 

the first half of 2014. The five largest export destinations in 

terms of value in June were Mexico, Canada, Hong Kong, 

Japan, and Benin.

Questions, comments, or suggestions for articles? Contact 

Lawrence.Haller@ams.usda.gov or Sherry.Wise@ams.usda.gov.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its 

customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, 

color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, 

and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental 

status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived 

from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in 

employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the 

Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or 

employment activities.)
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. 

180,000

185,000

190,000

195,000

200,000

205,000

210,000

215,000

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

eggs set (thousands)

Weekly Broiler Egg Sets

2015 2014 2011-2013 avg

150

240

330

420

510

600

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

cents per pound

Tom Turkey B/S Breast Prices

2015 2014 2011-2013 avg

160

190

220

250

280

310

340

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

thousand head

Monthly Beef Cow Slaughter

2015 2014 2011-2013 avg

210

220

230

240

250

260

270

280

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

thousand head

Monthly Sow Slaughter

2015 2014 2011-2013 avg
Avocadoes

The fruit with the highest level of Vitamin E

that reverses memory loss and retards the 

progress of Alzheimer’s disease.

 

2014 U.S. utilized production

Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics Division, NASS, FAS

Blueberries

Contain Anthocyanin, plant pigments that 

give blueberries their bright color and help 

increase brain signals and memory function.

 

2014 U.S. production, cultivated and wild

Eggs

Excellent source of Choline, a B-complex 

vitamin that supports memory and learning. 

 W 2014 U.S. table egg production

alnuts

Contain the omega-3 fatty acid, 

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) that promotes 

blood flow and more oxygen to the brain. 

 

2014 U.S. utilized production

School is Starting,You’ll need these 

Foods to Boost Your Brainpower!

Lentils 

Contain Folate (Vitamin B9) that supports 

brain health and the maintenance of 

cognitive functioning, including memory. 

2015 U.S. acres harvested

Beef 

Excellent source of Vitamin B12 that 

improves mental clarity, reduces depression,

and helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

 

2014 U.S. beef production

Coffee 

Contains Caffeine, a stimulate that can 

improve mental performance, especially 

alertness, attention and concentration. 

 

number of standard 6 oz. cups of coffee 

that can be produced from the 

total 2014 imports. 

"Brains are the only thing worth having in 

this world, no matter whether one is a crow 

or a man." – the Scarecrow of Oz