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 4-20

April 2020

EGGS

Production

Production indicators showed typical seasonal declines on a 

monthly basis but modest growth on a year-to-year basis. 

Compared with January 2020, February egg production fell 8

percent to 648.4 million dozen, broiler-type hatching egg 

production fell 6 percent to 89.4 million dozen, and egg-type 

hatching eggs fell 6 percent to 6.7 million dozen. Compared 

with February 2019, however, egg production was up 2

percent, broiler-type hatching egg production rose 7 percent, 

and egg-type hatching eggs was up 1 percent. Stocks showed 

modest mixed adjustments. Compared with February first-ofthe-month figures, in March table-egg layers fell 1 percent to 

330.0 million, broiler hatching-egg layers rose 0.5 percent to 

60.9 million, and egg-type hatching-egg layers rose 2 percent

to 3.4 million. Year-on-year, table-egg layer fell 4 percent, 

broiler hatching-egg layers rose 2 percent, and egg-type 

hatching-egg layers fell 2 percent. Pullets added during 

January for all types of egg production was 27.4 million, down 

0.3 percent monthly and 6 percent annually.

Price

The Covid-19 outbreak led to large portions of the U.S. 

population being directed to remain at home in March, leading 

to household food stockpiling and increased egg use for homecooking and baking. These events, coupled with seasonal 

demand increases preceding the early April Easter holiday, lead 

to sharp price increases. Compared to February, the March 

price for a dozen Large Grade A eggs in the New York wholesale 

market rose 77 percent to 194 cents /dozen, the National Index 

Price rose 154 percent to 156 per dozen, and the Central States 

Breaking Stock price rose 110 percent to 64 cents per dozen.

International Trade

U.S. table shell egg exports in February totaled 8.4 million 

dozen, down 2.1 percent from January but up 68 percent from 

February 2019. Similarly, the export value was $7.2 million, 

down 8.5 percent monthly but up 39 percent yearly. At 4.3 

thousand metric tons, the volume of egg products exported 

was up 26 percent monthly and 103 percent from February 

2019. Egg product exports in February were valued at $13.2 

million, up 16 percent from January and up 49 percent from 

February last year. Hong Kong, Mexico, and Canada 

respectively comprised 39, 37, and 10 percent of all egg 

exports by value.

TURKEY

Production

The U.S. produced 446 million pounds of turkey on a ready-tocook basis in January, down 13 percent monthly and 3 percent 

yearly. Turkey eggs in incubators on the first of March were 

unchanged monthly and down 1 percent year-on-year at 28.0 

million eggs. February poult placements were down 3 percent 

on a monthly basis and down 1 percent year-over-year, at 22.6 

million. Total turkey in cold storage rose 13 percent in February 

on a monthly basis but was down 25 percent on a yearly basis. 

Total stocks of whole frozen birds, hens, and toms were down 

39, 50, and 26 percent, respectively, from last year. Breast 

meat and leg meat stocks were down 17 and 27 percent yearover-year.

Price

For March 2020, the average price of whole frozen hens and 

toms were both up 2 percent over the February 2020 prices to 

118 cents/lbs. Compared to their March 2019 prices, the 

frozen hen price was 10 percent above last year’s price and the 

frozen tom price was 11 percent above. 

For individual cuts, the fresh tom boneless, skinless breast 

price was 173 cents per lb., unchanged on a monthly basis and 

down 15 percent year-to-year. Fresh tom boneless, skinless 

thigh meat fell 11 percent on a monthly basis to 135 cents per 

lb., which is 13 percent higher than its February 2019 level. The 

March fresh tom drumsticks price held steady at its February 

level of 74 cents per lb., which is 11 percent higher than its 

March 2019 level. 

International Trade

In February, the U.S. exported 653 thousand metric tons of 

turkey products with a value of $1,677 million. The volume was 

90 percent lower and the value was 114 percent higher than in 

January. Compared with January 2019, exports were 27 

percent higher in volume and 9 percent higher in value. 

Mexico was the top export markets for U.S. turkey meat in 

February 2020, accounting for 67 percent of U.S. 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 volume of young chicken in February 2019 fell 14 

percent monthly and rose 5 percent yearly for a total of 3.4 

billion pounds on a ready-to-cook basis. March eggs set was 34 

percent higher than in February. Chicks placed were 

unchanged on a month-to-month basis and 17 percent lower 

compared with the same period last year. 

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

were 925 million pounds, down 3 percent from the end of 

January 2020 and up 7 percent from February 2019. Stocks of 

whole broilers were down 9 percent from the previous month 

but up 3 percent from the year before. Bone-in thighs in cold 

storage were down 12 percent yearly and down 34 percent 

monthly. Drumstick stocks were unchanged monthly but up 14 

percent yearly. Stocks of boneless, skinless breasts in freezers 

were 1 percent lower than in January and 14 percent higher 

from February 2019. Cold storage of wings were down 1 

percent monthly and down 22 percent from last year. Leg 

quarters were down 1 percent monthly and up 14 percent 

yearly.

Price

Compared to February 2020, whole broiler prices were down 2 

percent to 79 cents per lbs.., 15 percent below the March 2019 

price. Boneless, skinless breast prices rose 27 percent to 113 

cents per lb., 1 percent lower yearly. Wing prices lost 10 cents, 

or 6 percent, to 171 cents per pound, 9 percent lower yearly. 

Bulk leg quarter prices fell 2 cents to 37 cents per lb., lower by 

6 percent both monthly and yearly. Boneless, skinless thigh 

meat prices rose a penny to 102 cents per lb., up 1 percent 

from February and down 13 percent from the March 2019 

value. Bone-in thighs rose 23 percent to 67 cents per lb., 7 

percent lower than last March. Drumsticks gained 2 cents for 

an average of 44 cents per lb., 4 percent lower monthly and 28 

percent higher yearly. 

International Trade

February exports of chicken and chicken products totaled 263 

thousand metric tons valued at $270 million. This is a decrease 

in both volume and value of 2 percent compared to January. 

Year-over-year, this represents a 6 percent increase in volume 

and a 20 percent increase in value. Mexico, Canada, Vietnam, 

Taiwan, and Cuba were the top 5 importers of U.S. broiler 

meat.

BEEF/VEAL

Production

February 2020 beef production was 7 percent higher than 

February 2019 and down 11 percent from January 2019 at 2.13

billion pounds. Cattle slaughter was 2.6 million head, up 5

percent year-over-year and 11 percent lower monthly. The 

average live weight was up 24 pounds from last year and up 1

pound from January at 1,376 pounds. Veal production in 

February 2020 was 5.1 million pounds, 17 percent lower yearover-year, and 20 percent lower monthly. Calf slaughter was 

39,700 head, down 18 percent yearly and down 21 percent 

from January. The average live weight was steady with January

at 224 pounds, but up 5 pounds yearly. 

Total beef in cold storage at the end of February was up 4

percent compared with the end of February 2019, and up 1

percent compared with January. Stocks of boneless beef were 

up slightly on a monthly basis and up 3 percent yearly, while 

beef cuts were up 3 percent month-over-month and up 20

percent year-over-year. Veal stocks in freezers fell 27 percent 

relative to January and were down 48 percent yearly.

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) in March 2020 lost

$7, falling to $112 per cwt, 5 percent below February 2020 and 

down 12 percent from the March 2019 price. The monthly 

average beef cutout value jumped $24 per cwt., to $231 per 

cwt., up 11 percent from February and 2 percent higher than 

last March. The 90 percent lean boneless beef monthly average 

price fell 3 percent ($7.00) from the month before, to $228 per 

cwt., 6 percent higher year-over-year. The 50 percent lean trim 

price lost $2 to $55 per cwt, 4 percent below February and 

down 30 percent from last year. The average prices for hideoff veal carcasses held steady at $305 per cwt, down 1 percent 

yearly.

International Trade

Compared to 2019, February 2020 beef and veal exports 

(including variety meats) were up 18 percent at 112 thousand 

MT while the export value was 17 percent higher at $681

million. The export volume and value were up 4 and 1 percent

from January, respectively. In February South Korea, Japan,

Mexico, Canada and Taiwan were our largest export markets, 

with Japan purchasing about one-fourth of the export volume.

Year-over-year beef import volumes for February were 2

percent lower at 89.3 thousand MT and were 10 percent higher

in value at $555 million. On a monthly basis volume increased 

8 percent and value rose 10 percent. Australia, Canada and

Mexico each imported nearly one-fourth of the beef volume 

sent to the U.S. in February 2020.
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 February totaled 2.31 billion pounds, down 

10 percent monthly but up 6 percent from February 2019, for 

a record high production volume for the month of February. 

The number of hogs slaughtered was 10.7 million head, up 6

percent from February 2019 and but down 9 percent from 

January. The average live weight was up 1 pound from last year

and down 2 pounds from last month at 288 pounds. 

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

up 6 percent from January and 7 percent higher than last year. 

Ham inventories rose 4 percent month-over-month but were 

down 7 percent year-over-year, with stocks of bone-in hams 

falling 1 percent monthly and 3 percent yearly, and boneless 

hams up 6 percent but down 8 percent, respectively. Belly 

inventories added 5 percent monthly and 38 percent from last 

year. Total loin stocks slipped 1 percent for the month but rose 

28 percent yearly. Pork rib stocks increased 12 percent 

monthly but fell 1 percent from 2019. Pork trimmings in 

freezers were 15 percent above January and 19 percent higher 

than last year. 

Price

The monthly average negotiated carcass price for barrows and 

gilts in March 2020 rose $7 per/lb. to $55 per cwt., 15 percent 

higher monthly and steady with last year. The pork cutout 

value added $8 in March to a monthly average of $73 per cwt., 

up 13 percent from February and up 5 percent from March

2019. With little trading, the monthly average price for 

trimmed, bone-in hams, 23-27 pounds jumped $29 to $99 per 

cwt., 66 percent higher monthly, and 61 percent above last 

year. Prices for picnic meat combos, cushion out, lost $18 to

$56 per cwt., 25 percent lower monthly, and 2 percent below

2019. 72 percent lean pork trimmings prices recouped $15 per 

cwt. averaging $69 per cwt, 28 percent higher monthly and up 

30 percent from last March. Pork belly primal values gained $3

per cwt. to $77 per cwt., down 26 percent monthly and down 

38 percent yearly. 

International Trade

Pork exports (including variety meats) in February 2020 were 

up 47 percent from February 2019 at 267 thousand metric 

tons, and up 63 percent in value at $695 million. Compared to 

January, export volume was down slightly, and value was down 

2 percent. China, Japan, Mexico Canada and South Korea were 

our largest export markets with 32 percent of pork export 

volume going to China. Compared to last year, February pork 

imports were 19 percent lower in volume at 30.8 thousand MT,

and 10 percent lower in value at $117 million. Import volume 

was down 1 percent from January while value was up lightly. 

Canada, Italy, Denmark, Mexico and Poland were the top 

importers of pork to the U.S. Canada was the source of more 

than two-thirds of pork imports.

LAMB

Production

February lamb and mutton production, at 10.7 million pounds, 

was down 5 percent from February 2019 and down 10 percent

from January. Sheep slaughter totaled 182,200 head, down 7

percent from January and down 3 percent from last year. The 

average live weight was 130 pounds, equal to last month and

down 2 pounds yearly. Lamb stocks in cold storage were 7

percent higher than 2019 and up 3 percent from the previous

month.

Price

The March negotiated live slaughter lamb price gained $2 on a 

monthly basis, averaging $161 per cwt., up 1 percent from 

February and up 15 percent from 2019. The average lamb 

cutout value added $7 for a monthly average of $430 per cwt, 

down 2 percent from February but up 7 percent from last 

March. The monthly average price for leg of lamb, trotter-off 

fell $7 to $388 per cwt., down 2 percent monthly but up 7

percent from the March 20down average. The average price 

for lamb shoulder (IMPS 207) in March increased $6, up 2 

percent from the month before at $332 per cwt. and up 20

percent compared to March 2019. Trimmed 4x4 loins lost $10

to $524 per cwt., up 2 percent monthly and steady with last

year. 

International Trade

The U.S. lamb export volume gained 22 percent in February

relative to January, to 263 metric tons valued at $1.1 million,

16 percent lower. On a year-over-year basis, the export 

volume was 7 percent higher while the value was 30 percent

higher. Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, and The Bahamas were

the top destinationsfor U.S. lamb and mutton. Imports of lamb 

to the U.S. were 8 percent lower in February compared to

January at 12 thousand metric tons, while the value of imports 

fell 15 percent to $74 million. Year-over-year imports were up 

52 percent in volume and up 1 percent in value. Australia, New 

Zealand and Mexico are the top three importing countries to 

the U.S., with Australia the source of 87 percent of lamb 

imports. 

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. 

50.0

75.0

100.0

125.0

150.0

175.0

200.0

225.0

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

cents per dozen

Monthly NY Shell Egg Price to Retailers

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg

100.0

105.0

110.0

115.0

120.0

125.0

130.0

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

cents per pound

Nat'l Whole Fresh Turkey Hen Price

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg

40.0

50.0

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 23-27# Trimmed Ham Price

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg

340.0

350.0

360.0

370.0

380.0

390.0

400.0

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

dollars per hundredweight

Monthly Lamb Leg, Trotter-Off Price

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg