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 10-18

October 2018

EGGS

Production

August table egg production totaled 664 million dozen, up 3 

percent from August 2017. On September 1, the number of 

birds in the table egg flock was 325 million, up 3 percent 

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

was 87.2 million eggs, up 13 percent from a year earlier. There 

were 1.11 billion broiler-type hatching eggs produced in 

August, up 2 percent from last year. The broiler-type laying 

flock on September 1 was 57.4 million hens, 1 percent above 

September 2017. Shell eggs broken totaled 212 million dozen 

during August, up 7 percent from August a year ago and up 4 

percent from the 203 million broken in July. Pullets for all eggtypes added to flocks in August were up 8 percent year-overyear.

Price

After the turbulence that characterized the market for most of 

the year, table egg price changes were modest in September. 

The price of one dozen Grade A Large eggs in the New York 

wholesale market began the month at 114 cents/dozen before 

dropping to 107 cents/dozen in the first week of the month. 

After remaining at that level for two weeks, prices began to rise 

modestly, in line with the traditional fall run-up towards the 

baking season, and closed September where they began, at 

114 cents/dozen. Breaking stock prices showed even less 

volatility. Breaking stock prices began the month at 57 

cents/dozen, dropped for a week to 52 cents/dozen, and then 

returned to 57 cents/dozen for the remainder of the month.

International Trade

Exports of shell eggs in August totaled 18 million dozen valued 

at $35.6 million. This was an increase of 20 percent in volume 

and 4 percent in value compared with July and an increase of 9 

percent in volume and an increase of 16 percent in value 

compared with August 2017. Through August, 2018 exports 

were up 6 percent in volume and up 15 percent in value 

compared with 2017. The U.S. exported $11.6 million of egg 

products in August, 15 percent above July but 10 percent 

below last August. For the first eight months of 2018, the value 

of egg products exports were 1 percent below the same period 

in 2017. Mexico, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, and Brazil were 

the five largest importers of U.S. eggs and egg products in 

August.

TURKEY

Production

August turkey production totaled 514 million pounds on a on a 

ready-to-cook basis. For August, daily production was 3 

percent below July and 5 percent below last August. These 

decreases were driven entirely by reductions in the number of 

birds slaughtered. Dressed weights were unchanged from last 

month and year. It is likely these production declines will 

continue for the next few months. Since the beginning of the 

year, eggs in incubators have been below year-earlier every 

month, and poults placed have been below year-earlier levels 

for every month except July, when poults destined for the fresh 

holiday markets are placed. Total turkey holdings on August 31 

were up 1 percent from August 2017. Total holdings of whole 

frozen birds were unchanged, but whole toms were up 10 

percent while whole hens were down 10 percent compared 

with last August. Stocks of white meat were down 10 percent 

year-over-year, while stocks of dark meat were up 43 percent.

Price

Whole body turkey prices continue to struggle. Whole frozen 

hen prices were unchanged overall in September, ending the 

month at 84 cents/lb., while whole frozen toms saw a 1 percent 

increase to 83 cents/lb. The hen price is 12 cents below the 

same time last year and 42 cents below the 2014 – 2016 

average for the end of September. For turkey producers, the 

one bright spot may be boneless/skinless (B/S) breast meat 

prices. B/S breast meat prices rose 13 cents (6 percent) during 

September to close at 211 cents/lb., its highest level since 

November 2016. B/S thigh meat rose 1 percent to end the 

month at 130 cents/lb. Tom drumsticks rose 5 percent to 70 

cents/lb., their highest level since January 2015.

International Trade

U.S. turkey exports in August totaled 22 thousand metric tons 

valued at $49.5 million. Exports in August were down 11 

percent in volume and 7 percent in value compared with July 

but up 3 percent in volume and 4 percent in value compared 

with last August. For the first eight months of the year, exports 

were up 2 percent in volume and up 7 percent in value 

compared with 2017. The top five destinations for exports of 

turkey in August were Mexico, Japan, Canada, the Dominican 

Republic, and Hong Kong.

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

In August, the U.S. produced 3.89 billion pounds of chicken on 

a on a ready-to-cook basis. Daily production in August was 2 

percent below July but 3 percent above August 2017. The yearover-year increase was primarily driven by an increase in 

dressed weights, which were up nearly 2 percent. Any 

production increases in the coming weeks will likely be driven 

by increases in weights; both eggs in incubators and chicks 

placed for the four weeks ending September 22 were 

unchanged from the same period last year. 

Total stocks of chicken in cold storage on August 31 were up 6 

percent compared with the end of July and up 19 percent 

compared with August 2017. Inventories of broilers and 

broiler products were 9 percent above July and 10 percent 

above last August. Whole broiler supplies were 27 percent 

above July but 6 percent below last year. Breasts and breast 

meat stocks were up 3 percent both month-over-month and 

year-over-year. Dark meat supplies were up 14 percent on the 

month and 4 percent on the year, with leg quarter holdings up 

20 percent from July but down 14 percent from last August. 

Thighs and thigh meat stocks were up 6 percent month-overmonth and up 38 percent year-over-year. Drumstick holdings 

were up 2 percent compared with July but up 53 percent 

compared with August 2017. Inventories of wings were up 10 

percent on the month and up 54 percent on the year.

Price

Whole chicken prices climbed modestly in September before 

giving back all their gains the last week of the month. The 

National composite price for whole broilers ended the month 

at 83 cents/lb. Most parts prices declined in September. 

Boneless/skinless (B/S) breast prices fell 11 percent during the 

month to close at 95 cents/lb., their lowest level since 

November 2006. Leg quarter prices fell 2 cents to 28 cents/lb., 

their lowest level since March 2017. B/S thigh meat prices fell 

by 3 percent to end the month at 116 cents/lb. Drumsticks fell 

5 percent to 40 cents/lb. Wings, on the other hand, rose 8 

percent to 153 cents/lb.

International Trade

The United States exported 283 thousand metric tons of 

chicken products in August with a value of $280 million. 

August’s export volume was 8 percent above July but down 1 

percent in value and was 7 percent higher in volume than 

August 2017 and 5 percent higher in value. Through August, 

2018 exports were up 3 percent in volume and up 5 percent in 

value compared with the same period in 2017. In August, our 

five largest export destinations for chicken were Mexico, 

Canada, Angola, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

BEEF/VEAL

Production

In August, 2.43 billion pounds of beef were produced, 1 

percent above August 2017 and 9 percent above the July 2018 

volume (with 2 more production days). Cattle slaughter totaled 

about 2.98 million head, up 1 percent from last August and up 

8 percent monthly. The average live weight was down 1 pound 

from last year, at 1,344 pounds. Total beef production for the 

first eight months of 2018 grew 4 percent from last year. 

August veal production was up 2 percent from last year, and 

up 7 percent from July at 6.5 million pounds. 52,300 head of 

calves were slaughtered in July, a 13 percent increase from 

2017 and 9 percent higher monthly. The average live weight 

was down 23 pounds from last year, at 215 pounds. Year-todate veal production was 1 percent higher than in 2017.

Total beef in cold storage hit a record high for the month of 

August, adding 4 percent to supplies in July and 6 percent to 

2017 levels. Boneless beef stocks were also record high with 

increases of 3 percent on a month-over-month basis and 5 

percent year-over-year. Frozen beef cut inventories gained 12 

percent monthly and 17 percent yearly. The volume of veal in 

cold storage was down 21 percent from July and down 7 

percent from 2017.

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) began September at 

$107 per cwt, and mostly remained steady, closing at $111 per 

cwt, 2 percent higher than last year. In the first half of the 

month, the beef cutout value lost the $7 gained in September, 

ending the month at $205 per cwt, 5 percent higher than 2017. 

The 90 percent lean boneless beef wholesale price continued 

to steadily fall, dropping $13 to $197 per cwt, 11 percent below 

the year before. The 50 percent lean trim price lost $24 in value 

through September hitting a peak of $92 per cwt but turned 

down sharply to end with a net loss for the month of $4 at $69 

per cwt, 1 percent lower than last year. Non packer-owned veal 

carcass held steady through most of the month as did packerowned veal carcass prices, ending the month at $307 and $305 

per cwt, 6 and 7 percent below 2017, respectively. The veal 

cutout average lost $8 to $395 per cwt, 7 percent below last 

year’s value.

International Trade

Compared to August 2017, beef and veal exports (including 

variety meats) increased 7 percent to 120 thousand MT, and 

the export value rose 11 percent to $752 million. The export 

volume and value were up 3 and 4 percent, respectively, from 

July. Cumulative beef exports were higher in volume by 9 

percent relative to 2017, and value was 19 percent higher. 

Japan, South Korea and Mexico were our largest export 

markets in August. Year-over-year beef import volumes were 5 

percent lower at 97 thousand MT, and down slightly in value at 

$523 million. Compared to July, beef imports and value were 

both 7 percent lower. Year-to-date beef and veal imports were 

slightly lower while import values were up 8 percent from last 

year. Australia, Canada and Mexico were the largest sources of 

imported beef to the U.S.
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

August pork production totaled 2.32 billion pounds, an 

increase of 5 percent over last year and 17 percent above July 

(with 2 additional slaughter days). Total hog slaughter was 11.2 

million head, up 5 percent from last year and 16 percent above 

the month before. The average live weight was steady with last 

year at 278 pounds. Accumulated pork production for JanuaryAugust 2018 was 4 percent higher than last year and hit a 

record high for the month of August. 

Frozen pork supplies at the end of August were 6 percent 

higher than in July, and 1 percent higher than in 2017. Stocks 

of pork bellies were down 14 percent monthly but were up 82 

percent from last year. Picnics in cold storage rose 10 percent 

monthly and 9 percent yearly. Ham inventories were up 23 

percent from July, and up slightly from last year. Rib holdings 

fell 5 percent from the prior month but gained 5 percent on a 

yearly basis, while loin supplies rose 16 percent from July but 

fell 5 percent from 2017. Pork trimmings in cold storage gained 

7 percent monthly and 21 percent yearly.

Price

In September, the negotiated carcass price for barrows and 

gilts regained nearly all the losses of August, adding $26 to end 

at $63 per cwt, 32 percent above 2017. The pork cutout value 

regained more than the losses of September, closing the 

month up $14 to $80 per cwt, 10 percent above last year. 

Trimmed, bone-in hams, 23-27 pounds gained $11 in the 

second half of September to $63 per cwt, 11 percent higher 

yearly. The picnic meat combos, cushion out price rose $17 

through September, ending at $74 per cwt, 20 percent below 

2017. Pork trim, 72 percent lean gained $20 to $62 per cwt, 1 

percent below the prior year. Pork belly primals added $42 to 

close the month at $117 per cwt, 28 percent above 2017.

International Trade

Pork exports in August (including variety meats) were down 1 

percent from 2017 at 177 thousand MT, and the value was 6 

percent lower at $460 million. Pork export volume was 3 

percent above July and the value was up 6 percent. For 2018 

so far, pork exports are up from 2017 by 1 percent in both 

volume and value. The largest overseas markets for U.S. pork 

were Japan, Mexico and Canada. Compared to 2017, the 

August pork import volume fell 17 percent to 37 thousand MT, 

and value lost 22 percent to $130 million. The volume of pork 

imports lost 5 percent relative to July, and the value was down 

7 percent. Year-to-date pork import volume and value were 

down 3 and 6 percent, respectively. The countries of Canada, 

Poland and Denmark imported the largest volumes of pork to 

the U.S.

LAMB

Production

August production of lamb and mutton was 13.4 million 

pounds, 4 percent higher than 2017, and up 11 percent from 

July (the result of 2 extra slaughter days). Sheep slaughter was 

204,500 head, up 5 percent from last year and up 14 percent 

from July. The average live weight was down 1 pound from 

2017 at 131 pounds. Total 2018 commercial lamb and mutton 

production was 5 percent higher than 2017. Lamb and mutton 

stocks were 6 percent lower monthly but up 23 percent the 

year before. 

Price

Negotiated live slaughter lamb prices were variable in 

September, but ended up $2 to $136 per cwt, 12 percent less 

than in 2017. However, the lamb cutout value lost $8 to $375, 

8 percent below the value a year ago. Leg of lamb, trotter-off 

values broke the stability seen since March, and lost $14 to end 

at $356 per cwt, 8 percent below 2017. The wholesale price of 

boneless square-cut lamb shoulders increased $4 to close the 

month at $551 per cwt, 14 percent below last year.

International Trade

August lamb exports were down 31 percent from 2017 at 143 

MT, and down 33 percent in value to $0.84 million. Compared 

to July, export volume was down 54 percent and the value was 

down 38 percent. Year-to-date exports of lamb added 15 

percent in volume and 4 percent in value over this period in 

2017. Mexico, The Bahamas and United Arab Emirates were 

the largest export markets for lamb and mutton. U.S. lamb 

imports in July were up 15 percent from 2017 at 10 thousand 

MT, and the value lost 2 percent to $75 million. The August 

import volume and value were down 21 percent. 2018 total 

lamb imports were up 11 percent in volume and 16 percent in 

value from last year. Australia, New Zealand and Chile were the 

largest sources of imports.

Questions, comments, or suggestions for articles? 

Contact Sherry.Wise@ams.usda.gov.

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. 

140

190

240

290

340

390

440

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

cents per pound

Fresh Boneless/Skinless Tom Turkey Breast

2018 2017 2014-2016 avg

40

90

140

190

240

290

cents per dozen

New York Shell Egg Price (Grade A Large - wholesale)

2018 2017 2014-2016 avg

1.75

2.00

2.25

2.50

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

billion pounds

Monthly Commercial Beef Production

2018 2017 2014-2016 avg

1.8

2.0

2.2

2.4

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

billion pounds

Monthly Commercial Pork Production

2018 2017 2014-2016 avg
Traditional pierogis are made of 

dumplings stuffed with potato 

and cheese, boiled, and then 

fried in butter and onions.

The first written recipe for 

pierogi was published in 

Poland in 1682.

Potatoes 

Cheddar 

 Cheese 

Onions 

Butter 

Eggs 

Flour 

In 2017, the U.S. milled 42.6 

billion pounds of wheat flour, 

enough to make 2.6 trillion

pierogis!

In 2017, the U.S. produced 62

billion table shell eggs, enough

to make 3 trillion pierogis!

In 2017, the U.S. grew 11 billion 

pounds of potatoes for fresh use, 

enough to stuff 340 billion pierogis!

In 2017, the U.S. churned 1.9 billion 

pounds of butter, enough to sauté

360 billion pierogis!

In 2017, the U.S. grew 5 billion 

pounds of onions for fresh use, 

enough to top 520 billion pierogis!

In 2017, the U.S. cultured 3.7 billion 

pounds of cheddar cheese, enough 

to stuff 480 billion pierogis!

(piˈrōɡē)

Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics and NASS; Mrs. T’s

The annual 

Pierogi Fest, held

in Whiting, IN, 

draws nearly 

300,000 visitors

each year, 

including many 

“buscias” (BOOshas), Polish

Grandmothers. It 

is one of many 

similar festivals

held across the

country.

The 

“pierogi pocket”

stretches from southern

New England westward to 

northern Indiana and accounts 

for 68% of annual pierogi consumption

 in the U.S. Americans eat over 

 30 million pierogis each year!