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 6-21

June 2021

EGGS

Production

At 660 million dozen, April table egg production was down 4 

percent monthly and unchanged from the previous year’s 

level. At 181 million dozen, shell eggs broken were down 3 

percent monthly and 14 percent above the 2020 level. As 

shown in the Figure, table egg layers-on-hand have been low 

throughout 2021 and were down 2 percent at the start of May 

to 319 million, also 2 percent below its 2020 level. Egg-type 

hatching-egg layers-on-hand were down 2 percent monthly 

and down 9 percent yearly to 3.0 million. 

Future indicators continued to signal decreased egg 

production and increased broiler production compared to 

2020 levels. Pullet additions were unchanged at 28 million, a 1

percent increase from April 2020. Production of egg-type 

hatching eggs fell 9 percent monthly to 6.3 million dozen and 

were down 12 percent from April 2020. Broiler-type hatching 

eggs layers-on-hand on the first of the May were unchanged at 

64.4 million but up 5 percent from the previous year. Broilertype hatching egg production fell 2 percent monthly in April to 

99 million dozen, up 7 percent from its 2020 level. 

Price

Prices of both shell and broken eggs typically hit yearly lows in 

the warm months spanning May to August, a pattern that is 

becoming apparent in 2021 prices. The New York shell egg 

price fell 10 percent monthly to $0.91 per dozen, 7 percent less 

than the previous year’s level. The monthly National Index 

price fell 3 percent monthly to $0.58 per dozen, 23 percent

lower than the May 2020 level. The Central States Breaking 

Stock price fell 9 percent to $0.51 per dozen, 74 percent above 

the abnormal 2020 level that had been affected by COVID-19 

related closures of food service.

International Trade

In volume terms, U.S. shell egg exports in April fell 9 percent 

monthly to 14.8 million dozen, a 50 percent increase from the 

April 2020 level. In value terms, exports fell 18 percent monthly 

to $14.4 million, 33 percent above its previous year’s value. 

Top export destinations were Mexico, Hong Kong, Canada, and 

South Korea with 38, 26, 14, and 11 percent shares by volume 

respectively. Egg product exports decreased 26 percent to 495 

MTs, up 6 percent yearly.

TURKEY

Production

April turkey production decreased 11 percent monthly to 461 

million pounds, a level 4 percent above the previous year’s 

level. Total turkey in cold storage rose seasonally 3 percent to 

363 million pounds in April but was down 13 percent yearly. 

Compared to 2020 levels, stocks were down across all major 

categories. Whole birds in cold storage were down less than 

one percent. Breasts, legs, and mechanically deboned meat 

were down 34 percent, 15 percent, and 31 percent compared 

to 2020 levels. 

Future indicators for turkey continued to be mixed. Poult 

placements were up 1 percent monthly at 22 million, up 1 

percent from the 2020 level. Poults hatched were unchanged 

in April but were down 1 percent yearly. Turkey eggs in 

incubators fell 6 percent monthly to 26 million, down 5 percent 

from the April 2020 level. 

Price

Turkey meat prices rose sharply across both whole bird and 

part categories in April and remain significantly above alreadyhigh 2020 levels. The benchmark price of whole frozen hens 

rose 6 percent monthly and was up 17 percent yearly to $1.21 

per pound, its highest recorded price on record. A small April 

price gap between frozen tom and hen prices closed in May, 

with the price of larger whole frozen toms also coming in at 

$1.21 per pound, a 3 percent increase from April and also up 

17 percent from 2020. Fresh hen and tom price showed more 

modest price increases, rising 3 percent month to end at $1.33-

1.34 per pound, up around 9 percent for hens and 11 percent 

for toms compared to 2020. The boneless, skinless turkey 

breast price rose 17 percent in April to $1.98 per pound, up 23 

percent from 2020. The tom drumstick price rose 7 percent 

monthly to $0.84 per pound, 23 percent higher yearly. The 

thigh meat price rose 16 percent monthly to $1.85 per pound, 

65 percent higher yearly. 

International Trade

In volume terms, turkey exports fell 11 percent to 20.6

thousand MTs, 9 percent above the April 2020 level. In value 

terms, exports fell 2 percent to $50 million, down 1 percent 

yearly. The top turkey export destination was Mexico with a 65 

percent share by sales volume.
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 (RTC) basis 

fell 8 percent monthly to 3.7 billion pounds, 3 percent above 

the April 2020 level. Broiler slaughter similarly fell 8 percent 

monthly to 762 million head, 1 percent above the April 2020 

level. Broiler eggs set rose 4 percent in May to 1062 million, 

up 4 percent from 2020. Broiler chicks placed rose 4 percent 

monthly to 832 million, up 5 percent yearly. The most recent 

4-period average of weekly data through June 5th has broiler 

chicks placed up 4.8 percent compared to 2020. The Figure 

shows that hatchability, the percentage of broilers eggs set 

that are then placed in grow houses 3 weeks has declined by a 

percentage point or more from historic levels (ignoring the 

anomalous May 2020 drop arising from the Covid-19 

pandemic.) 

Total stocks of chicken in cold storage at the end of April fell 2 

percent monthly to 723 million pounds, at its lowest level on 

record since 2015 and down 23 percent from 2020. Total 

chicken in cold storage is well below its 3-year average. Stocks 

of whole broilers rose 14 percent monthly and were down 34 

percent yearly. Drum and bone-in thighs in cold storage were 

up yearly by 8 percent and 20 percent respectively. Breasts, leg 

quarters, legs, boneless thighs, and wings were down 19 

percent, 20 percent, 49 percent, 53 percent, and 33 percent 

yearly. 

Price

Chicken prices rose seasonally in May. The National Composite 

Whole Body broiler price rose 4 percent monthly to $1.05 per 

pound, up 42 percent from the 2020 level. The boneless, 

skinless breast price rose 24 percent monthly to $2.13 per 

pound, up 58 percent yearly. The bone-in breast price rose 3 

percent to $1.25 per pound, up 24 percent yearly. Bone-in 

thigh prices rose 18 percent to $0.69 per pound, down 4

percent yearly. Tenderloin prices rose 22 percent to $2.41 per 

pound, up 121 percent yearly. Leg quarters increased 3 percent 

monthly to $0.44 per pound, 35 percent above its May 2020 

level. Boneless skinless thigh prices rose 41 percent monthly 

to $1.63 per pound, 52 percent above last year's price. 

Drumstick prices were up 2 percent monthly to $0.50 per 

pound, down 5 percent from the May 2020 level. Wing prices 

rose 11 percent to $3.25 per pound, 105 percent above the 

previous year’s level. 

International Trade

In volume terms, April chicken exports fell 7 percent to 279

thousand MT, down 5 percent from their 2020 level. In value 

terms, exports rose 2 percent to $316 million, up 27 percent 

yearly. In April, the top chicken export destinations were, by 

volume, Mexico (25 percent), Cuba (11 percent), the 

Philippines (8 percent), Taiwan (5 percent), and China (5 

percent). 

BEEF/VEAL

Production

April 2021 beef production slipped 5 percent against the 

previous month at 2.35 billion pounds, 29 percent higher than 

last April 2020. Cattle slaughter was 2.85 million head, 5 

percent lower monthly but up 27 percent year-over-year.

Average live weight rose 13 pounds yearly but lost 6 pounds

from March at 1,366 pounds. Veal production in April was 4.3

million pounds, 12 percent below March and down 10 percent

year-over-year. Calf slaughter was 27,400 head, 18 percent

lower yearly and 14 percent lower monthly. The average live 

calf weighed 16 more pounds than the year before and 1 more 

pound than in March at 268 pounds.

Total beef in cold storage, shown graphically below, at the end 

of April was down 6 percent from April 2020 and 5 percent 

monthly. Boneless beef was down 7 percent both yearly and

monthly. Beef cut supplies in freezers added 8 percent to last 

month’s inventories and 13 percent year-over-year. Veal 

inventories were 18 percent lower than March but up 29

percent yearly.

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) edged lower in May, 

losing $2 to $119 per cwt, a 1 percent loss monthly but 6 

percent higher yearly. On the wholesale level, the beef cutout 

value jumped $37 to $317 per cwt, 13 percent higher monthly 

but 24 percent lower yearly. 90 percent lean boneless beef 

gained $14 to $252 per cwt, 6 percent above April though

down 14 percent from 2020. The 50 percent lean trim average 

monthly price lost $13 to $78, 14 percent below last month and 

down 62 percent yearly. The average price for hide-off veal 

carcasses added $13 to $315 per cwt, up 5 percent from April

and 11 percent from last year.

International Trade

April 2021 beef and veal exports (including variety meats) 

totaled 121 thousand MT, up 23 percent yearly but down 3

percent monthly. The export value jumped 35 percent from 

last year and rose 1 percent from last month to $808 million.

Beef and veal total exports for the year to date are up 5 percent 

in volume and 10 percent in value. 24 percent of U.S. beef 

exports went to South Korea, 22 percent went to Japan, 17 

percent to China, 9 percent to Mexico and 6 percent to Canada.

Beef and veal import volumes for April fell 1 percent from the 

previous month to 98 thousand MT but added 3 percent yearover-year. Import value of beef was $661 million, up 6 percent 

monthly and 24 percent yearly. The year-to-date total of beef 

imports was 7 percent lower in volume but 2 percent higher in 

value. Canada imported 29 percent of the beef trade to the 

U.S., Mexico imported 21 percent of volume New Zealand 

imported 17 percent, Australia imported 13 percent, and Brazil 

imported 9 percent of beef imports 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

April pork production fell 8 percent from March to 2.34 billion 

pounds, up 15 percent from last April. Total hogs slaughtered 

was down 8 percent monthly at 10.8 million head, 15 percent

above 2020. Average live hog weight lost 1 pound month-overmonth at 290 pounds but gained 1 pound yearly. 

All pork in cold storage in April was down 26 percent from

March but up 1 percent from 2020. As seen in the graph below, 

pork in cold storage is proportionately quite low relative to 

beef supplies. Monthly total hams in storage were 34 percent 

higher, but for the year, down 28 percent. Bone-in ham

supplies were up 32 percent monthly but down 33 percent 

yearly, while boneless hams added 35 percent monthly but fell 

26 percent yearly. Belly inventories slipped 3 percent monthover-month and dropped 58 percent compared to April 2020. 

Total loin stocks lost 3 percent compared to March but were 

14 percent higher for the year. Pork trimmings in freezers were 

up 3 percent monthly but down 27 percent yearly.

Price

The May negotiated carcass price for barrows and gilts added

$8 to $112 per cwt, 8 percent higher monthly and up 199

percent yearly. The pork cutout value gained $6 to $117 per 

cwt, for a monthly rise of 6 percent and up 12 percent for the

year. Boneless center cut loin prices, jumped $29 to $153 per 

cwt, 24 percent higher, but fell 47 percent from last May. 

Trimmed, selected ham prices (23-27 pounds) lost $6, falling to

$81 per cwt, down 6 percent from April but up 118 percent

yearly. The 72 percent lean pork trimmings price added $2 to 

average $126 per cwt, up 2 percent monthly but losing 3

percent year-over-year. Picnic meat combo, cushion out prices

gained $12 to $129 per cwt, 11 percent greater monthly

though falling 2 percent yearly. Pork belly primal values 

dropped $9 in May to $168 per cwt, 6 percent below the prior 

month but 47 percent above the prior year. 

International Trade

Exports of pork were up 2 percent from April 2020 at 264

thousand metric tons, and up 11 percent in value to $724

million. Compared to March, export volume and value were

down 9 percent and 6 percent, respectively. For the year so far, 

pork export volume fell 4 percent while value fell 3 percent. 

One-quarter of U.S. pork exports in April went to Mexico, 23 

percent went to China, while 15 percent of the volume and 21

percent of pork export value went to Japan. Year-over-year, 

April pork imports were up 55 percent in volume at 39

thousand MT and up 78 percent in value at $167 million. 

Compared to March import volume fell 4 percent but value

rose 5 percent. Cumulative yearly imports through April were 

up 26 percent in volume and 33 percent in value. Two-thirds of

pork imports and 60 percent of the value of imports in April

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

each sending 9 percent or less of the pork imported to the U.S.

LAMB

Production

April lamb and mutton production dropped 2 percent from 

March to 13.6 million pounds, 23 percent higher yearly. 

Sheep slaughter totaled 222,800 head, 23 percent above 2020 

and up 4 percent monthly. The average live weight fell 8

pounds from last month and 1 pound from last year at 122

pounds. Lamb stocks in cold storage were down 39 percent 

from 2020 and down 2 percent from the month before.

Price

The May negotiated live slaughter lamb price rose $16 to $203

per cwt, 17 percent higher monthly, with no 2020 price to 

compare on a yearly basis. The lamb cutout value leaped $43

in May to $531 per cwt, rising 9 percent monthly and 29

percent yearly. Leg of lamb, trotter-off (IMPS 233A) rose $47

for an average of $500 per cwt, up 10 percent monthly and 29

percent yearly. The average price for lamb shoulder (IMPS 207)

added $29, or 7 percent for the month and 19 percent yearover-year to $392 per cwt. Ground lamb (IMPS 296) increased

$53 to $708 per cwt, 8 percent above April and up 26 percent 

from last year. 

International Trade

April lamb export volume added 1 percent compared to March

at 83 metric tons though value was down 22 percent at

$484,000. Export volume was down 74 percent from 2020, and 

value fell 14 percent. January to April cumulative exports were 

down 82 percent compared to 2020 with value down 56 

percent. The top destinations for U.S. lamb exports were

Mexico (33 percent), the Leeward-Windward Islands (23 

percent), and The Bahamas (12 percent). Imports of lamb to 

the U.S. declined 16 percent in April compared to March at 

11.4 thousand metric tons, while the value of imports dropped 

22 percent to $85 million. Year-over-year imports were 14

percent lower in volume and 6 percent lower in value. To date. 

2021 imports are down 30 percent with value down 20 

percent. About 75 percent of lamb imports were from Australia

and 23 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. 

400

450

500

550

600

650

700

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

million pounds

Total Pork in Cold Storage

2021 2020 2017-2019 avg

310

315

320

325

330

335

340

345

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

thousand layers

Table-Egg Layers on Hand 1st of Month

 2021 2020 2017-2019 avg

75%

76%

77%

78%

79%

80%

81%

82%

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51

Percent of Egg Set Hatched

Week of Year

Percent of Set Broiler Eggs that are Placed 

2021 2020 2017-2019 Avg

400

425

450

475

500

525

550

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

million pounds

Total Beef in Cold Storage

2020 2021 2017-2019 avg