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 11-18

November 2018

EGGS

Production

September table egg production totaled 646 million dozen, up 

4 percent from September 2017. On October 1, the number of 

birds in the table egg flock was 386 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 

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

laying flock on October 1 was 57.3 million hens, 1 percent 

above October 2017. Shell eggs broken totaled 204 million 

dozen during September, up 11 percent from September a year 

ago but down 4 percent from the 213 million broken in August. 

Pullets for all egg-types added to flocks in September were up 

9 percent year-over-year.

Price

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

wholesale market began the month at 114 cents/dozen and 

rose fairly steadily through the month to 124 cents/dozen, 17 

cents above the price in 2017. Prices firmed as the month 

closed, buoyed by the approaching Thanksgiving baking 

demand season as marketers sought to build supplies to cover 

commitmentssupporting retail feature activity. Breaking stock 

prices held steady at 57 cents/dozen, throughout the month. 

This is 17 cents below the price in 2017. Competition from 

carton businessfor the coming Thanksgiving holiday season led 

to price firming as the month closed. 

International Trade

Exports of shell eggs in September totaled 17.6 million dozen 

valued at $39.4 million. This was an decrease of 5 percent in 

volume and an increase of 8 percent in value compared with 

August and an decrease of 3 percent in volume and an increase 

of 11 percent in value compared with September 2017. 

Through September 2018 exports were up 4 percent in volume 

and up 14 percent in value compared with 2017. The U.S. 

exported $6.9 million of egg products in September, 49 percent 

below August and 24 percent below last September. For the 

first nine months of 2018, the value of egg products exports 

were 26 percent below the same period in 2017. Mexico, 

Canada, Hong Kong, Brazil and Japan were the five largest 

importers of U.S. eggs and egg products in September.

TURKEY

Production

September turkey production totaled 425 million pounds on a 

on a ready-to-cook basis. For September, daily production was 

18 percent below August and 9 percent below last September. 

With 3 fewer slaughter days than August and 1 less than 

September. Dressed weights were down 5 percent from 

August and 4 percent from last year. Eggs in incubators totaled 

28.4 million on October 1, 1 percent more than in 2017, and 4 

percent more than September 1. Poults placed were up slightly 

from year-earlier levels. But were down 11 percent from the 

month before, at 21 million net poults.

Total turkey holdings on September 30 were down 1 percent 

from September 2017 and down 7 percent from August. Total 

holdings of whole frozen birds were down 4 percent monthly 

unchanged yearly, while whole toms were up 7 percent and 

whole hens were down 8 percent compared with last 

September. Stocks of white meat were down 14 percent yearover-year, while stocks of dark meat were up 68 percent.

Price

Whole frozen hen prices were unchanged overall in October, 

ending the month at 84 cents/lb, while whole frozen toms saw 

a 2-cent decrease to 81 cents/lb. The hen price is 4 cents below 

the same time last year and 40 cents below the 2014 – 2016 

average for the end of October. B/S breast meat prices lost 1 

cent during October to close at 210 cents/lb. B/S thigh meat

lost 2 cents to end the month at 128 cents/lb. Tom drumsticks 

lost 1 percent to 69 cents/lb.

International Trade

U.S. turkey exports in September totaled 21 thousand metric 

tons valued at $47 million. Exports in September were down 

25 percent in volume and 22 percent in value compared with 

August and were down 6 percent in volume and 5 percent in 

value compared with last September. For the first nine months 

of the year, exports were down 2 percent in volume and up 3 

percent in value compared with 2017. The top five 

destinations for exports of turkey in September were Mexico, 

Hong Kong, Japan, Chile and Canada.

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 September, the U.S. produced 3.4 billion pounds of chicken 

on a on a ready-to-cook basis. Daily production in September 

was 2 percent below the revised August volume but 3 percent 

above September 2017. The average live weight of young 

chickens was 6.3 pounds, 1 percent more than last year and 

slightly August. 

Total stocks of chicken in cold storage on September 30 were 

up 4 percent compared with the end of August and up 17 

percent compared to September 2017. Whole broiler supplies 

were 3 percent above August but 6 percent below last year. 

Breasts and breast meat stocks were up 2 percent month-overmonth and up 4 percent year-over-year. 

Dark meat supplies were up 5 percent on the month and 1 

percent on the year, with leg quarter holdings down 18 percent 

from August and up 7 percent from last September. Thighs and 

thigh meat stocks were down 1 percent month-over-month 

and up 31 percent year-over-year. Drumstick holdings were up 

8 percent compared with August and up 76 percent compared 

with September 2017. Inventories of wings were up 8 percent 

on the month and up 57 percent on the year.

Price

The National composite price for whole broilers ended the 

month up 2 cents at 85 cents/lb. Most parts prices declined in 

October. Boneless/skinless (B/S) breast prices fell 7 percent 

during the month to close at 88 cents/lb. Leg quarter prices 

fell 7 cents to 30 cents/lb. B/S thigh meat prices held steady 

through the month at 116 cents/lb. Drumsticks lost 3 cents to 

37 cents/lb. Wings lost 7 cents to 146 cents/lb.

International Trade

The United States exported 262 thousand metric tons of 

chicken products in September with a value of $246 million. 

September’s export volume was 7 percent below August and 

12 percent lower in value and was 11 percent higher in volume 

than September 2017 but 6 percent lower in value. Through 

September, exports for 2018 were up 4 percent in volume and 

value compared with the same period in 2017. In September, 

our five largest export destinations for chicken were Mexico, 

Canada, Angola, Cuba and The Philippines.

BEEF/VEAL

Production

In September 2.16 billion pounds of beef were produced, 3 

percent below September 2017 (with 1 less production day) 

and down 11 percent from August. Cattle slaughter totaled 

about 2.62 million head, down 3 percent from last September 

and 12 percent from August. The average live weight was down 

1 pound from last year, at 1,358 pounds. Total beef production 

for the first nine months of 2018 grew 3 percent from last year. 

September veal production was down 2 percent from last year 

at 6.0 million pounds, and down 8 percent from August. 48,600 

head of calves were slaughtered in August, an 11 percent 

increase from 2017. The average live weight was down 26 

pounds from last year, at 215 pounds. Year-to-date veal 

production was 1 percent higher than in 2017.

Total beef in cold storage increased 1 percent from August and 

added 3 percent to the volume in 2017. Boneless beef stocks 

increased 1 percent on both a month-over-month and yearover-year basis. Frozen beef cut inventories gained 10 percent 

monthly and 16 percent yearly. The volume of veal in cold 

storage was down 3 percent from August but slightly higher 

than in 2017, at a record high inventory level. 

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) broke its hold at the 

$111 barrier by the end of October to close at $114 per cwt, 3 

percent below the prior year value. In the first half of the 

month, the beef cutout value took back the $7 lost in 

September, returning to $212 per cwt, and remaining 5 

percent higher than 2017. The 90 percent lean boneless beef 

wholesale price lost another $7, down to $190 per cwt, again 

11 percent below the year before. The 50 percent lean trim 

price gained $10 in October rising to $55 per cwt, 17 percent 

below than last year. Non-packer owned veal carcass held 

steady through the month at $307 per cwt, while packerowned veal carcasses, added $3 and closing at $30 per cwt, 

both 8 percent below 2017. The veal cutout average held 

steady at $395 per cwt, 7 percent below last year’s value.

International Trade

Compared to September 2017, beef and veal exports (including 

variety meats) increased 6 percent to 110 thousand MT, and 

the export value rose 11 percent to $687 million. The export 

volume and value were down 8 and 9 percent, respectively, 

from August. Cumulative beef exports were higher in volume 

by 9 percent relative to 2017, and value was 18 percent higher. 

Japan, South Korea and Mexico were our largest export 

markets in September. Year-over-year beef import volumes 

were 2 percent higher at 86 thousand MT, and 6 percent higher 

in value at $462 million. Compared to August, beef imports and 

value were 11 and 12 percent lower, respectively. Year-to-date 

beef and veal imports were slightly lower while import values 

were up 8 percent from last year. Canada, Australia 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

September pork production totaled 2.01 billion pounds, a 

decline of 7 percent from last year and 13 percent below 

August. Total hog slaughter was 9.65 million head, down 6 

percent from last year and 13 percent below the month before. 

The average live weight was 2 pounds lower than last year at 

278 pounds. Accumulated pork production for JanuarySeptember 2018 was 3 percent higher than last year. 

Frozen pork supplies at the end of September were 1 percent 

higher than in August, down 5 percent from 2017. Stocks of 

pork bellies were down 13 percent monthly but were up 45 

percent from last year. Picnics in cold storage fell 6 percent 

monthly and 4 percent yearly. Ham inventories were up 5 

percent from August, and down 8 percent from last year. Rib 

holdings added 7 percent from the prior month but fell 5 

percent on a yearly basis, while loin supplies rose 10 percent 

from August but fell 2 percent from 2017. Pork trimmings in 

cold storage were 9 percent lower monthly but up 11 percent 

yearly.

Price

After gains in September, the negotiated carcass price for 

barrows and gilts gave back $5, to close October at $58 per cwt, 

12 percent below 2017. The pork cutout value lost $2 through 

October, closing the month at $78 per cwt, up 1 percent from 

last year. Trimmed, bone-in hams, 23-27 pounds continued its 

up and down pattern, dropping last month’s $11 gain, and

returning to $52 per cwt, 28 percent lower yearly. The picnic 

meat combos cushion out price added another $5 in October, 

to $79 per cwt, 3 percent below 2017. Pork trim, 72 percent 

lean lost half of the gain in September, ending October down 

$10 to $52 per cwt, down 13 percent from 2017. Pork belly 

primals rose $22 to end at $139 per cwt, 41 percent above 

2017.

International Trade

Pork exports in September (including variety meats) were 

down 2 percent from 2017 at 175 thousand MT, and the value 

was 8 percent lower at $441 million. Pork export volume was 

down 2 percent from August and the value was down 4 

percent. For 2018 so far, pork exports are up from 2017 by 1 

percent in volume and are down slightly in value. The largest 

overseas markets for U.S. pork were Japan, Mexico and 

Canada. Compared to 2017, the September pork import 

volume fell 16 percent to 35 thousand MT, and value lost 14 

percent to $123 million. The volume of pork imports lost 6 

percent relative to August, and the value was down 5 percent. 

Year-to-date pork import volume and value were down 4 and 

7 percent, respectively. The countries of Canada, Poland and 

Italy imported the largest volumes of pork to the U.S.

LAMB

Production

September production of lamb and mutton was 11.4 million 

pounds, 2 percent higher than 2017, but down 15 percent from 

August. Sheep slaughter was 172,700 head, down 2 percent 

from last year and lower by 16 percent from August. The 

average live weight was up 4 pounds from 2017 at 132 pounds. 

Total 2018 commercial lamb and mutton production was 5 

percent higher than 2017. Lamb and mutton stocks were 1 

percent higher monthly and up 20 percent year-over-year. 

Price

The seasonal trend of falling negotiated live slaughter lamb 

prices subsided in October, leaving the price the same as at the 

start of the month, at $136 per cwt, 4 percent less than in 2017. 

The lamb cutout value also stayed relatively flat, ending down 

only $3 at $378, 3 percent below the value a year ago. Leg of 

lamb, trotter-off values saw some growth in October, adding 

$12 to close at $368 per cwt, up 1 percent from 2017. The 

wholesale price of boneless square-cut lamb shoulders closed 

the month up just 1 from the 2018 average to date of $555 per 

cwt, 11 percent below last year.

International Trade

September lamb exports were down 53 percent from 2017 at 

128 MT, and down 55 percent in value to $0.69 million. 

Compared to August, export volume was down 11 percent and 

the value was down 18 percent. Year-to-date exports of lamb 

added 4 percent in volume but lost 5 percent in value over this 

period in 2017. The Bahamas, Mexico and Canada were the 

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

in August were up 9 percent from 2017 at 8 thousand MT, 

though the value was down slightly at $59 million. The 

September import volume and value were down 24 and 22 

percent, respectively. 2018 total lamb imports were up 10 

percent in volume and 14 percent in value from last year. 

Australia, New Zealand and Iceland 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. 

75

85

95

105

115

125

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

cents per pound

Whole broilers (National composite price)

2018

2017

2014-2016 avg

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

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

cents per pound

National Frozen Hen Turkeys

2018 2017 2014-2016 avg

40

55

70

85

100

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

dollars per cwt

Ham, Bone-in, Trimmed 23-27#, Trim Spec 1

2018 2017 2014-2016 avg

$300

$330

$360

$390

$420

$450

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

dollars per cwt.

Weekly Leg of Lamb, Trotter Off, Prices (233A)

2018 2017 avg 2014-2016
Originated in the U.S. 

Modern version was created 

by amateur breeder Charles 

A. Leggett around 1940. 2018 

average price per pound at 

retail = $0.93

James J. H. Gregory of 

Marblehead, MA introduced the 

Hubbard squash to the American 

market in 1854. He got his seeds 

from Mrs. Elizabeth Hubbard.

Originated in China. Brough to 

the U.S. in 1936 where it was 

grown in Victory Gardens. 2018 

average price per pound at 

retail = $0.96

Native to the Americas 

and also known as Pepper 

Squash. Nearly 90% of 

annual marketings occur 

Sep 1-Nov 1. 2018 

average price per pound 

at retail = $0.93

Originated in Mexico. The 

most popular squash in the 

U.S. marketed for Halloween

for Jack-o-Lantern’s ($3.93

each in 2018) or pie types for 

Autumn baking ($0.90 per 

pound in 2018).

Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics and Market News

In 2017, the U.S. exported 46 million pounds of 

fresh pumpkins, 63% to Canada and 34% to Japan. 

We imported 63 million pounds, 47% from Canada 

and 45% from Costa Rica.