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 4-21

April 2021

EGGS

Production

Table egg production fell 10 percent monthly to 620 million 

dozen, a 4 percent decrease from its February 2020 level. Shell 

eggs broken fell 7 percent monthly to 165 million dozen, 18 

percent below their February 2020 level. First-of-the-month 

table egg layers-on-hand were again unchanged in March at 

327 million, 1 percent below its 2020 level. Egg-type hatchingegg layers-on-hand fell 1 percent monthly to 3.3 million but 

were up 3 percent yearly. 

Future indicators of egg production fell slightly in the shorterthan-usual month of February. Pullet additions fell 5 percent 

monthly to 26 million, a 7 percent decrease from February 

2020. Production of egg-type hatching eggs fell 13 percent 

monthly to 6.4 million dozen, a 5 percent decrease from 

February 2020. Broiler hatching flock indicators signaled 

modest growth. Broiler-type hatching eggs layers-on-hand on 

the first of the March were unchanged at 63.4 million, up 4 

percent from March 2020. Broiler-type hatching egg

production fell 8 percent monthly in February to 90 million 

dozen, up 1 percent from its 2020 level. 

Price

Prices of both shell and broken eggs showed strong seasonal 

increases in March. The New York shell egg price rose 11 

percent monthly to $1.47 per dozen, 25 percent less that the 

March 2020 level, which had reflected panic buying from 

COVID-19. The monthly National Index price rose 25 percent 

monthly to $0.93 per dozen, similarly 40 percent lower than 

the atypical March 2020 level. The Central States Breaking 

Stock price increased by rising 47 percent to $0.70 per dozen, 

up 10 percent yearly.

International Trade

In volume terms, U.S. shell egg exports in February rose 9 

percent monthly to 12.4 million dozen, a 47 percent increase 

from 2020. In value terms, exports rose 25 percent monthly to 

$11.9 million, 65 percent above its previous year’s value. 

South Korea emerged as the top export destination for shell 

eggs with 22 percent of sales by volume and 26 percent of sales 

by value, edging out Hong Kong (25 percent) and Mexico (20 

percent) in sales by value. Egg product exports decreased 11 

percent to 2.8 million MTs, down 34 percent yearly.

TURKEY

Production

February turkey production fell 6 percent monthly to 421 

million pounds, a level which is also 6 percent down from the 

previous February. Total turkey in cold storage rose seasonally 

6 percent to 320 million pounds in February but remained

down 6 percent yearly in reflection of decreased production. 

Whole birds in cold storage were up 2 percent yearly but, 

across turkey parts, breasts and legs were both down 27 

percent, mechanically deboned meat was down 39 percent, 

and unclassified parts were down 7 percent. 

Future indicators for turkey suggested significantly reduced 

production from the already decreased 2020 level. As shown 

in the Figure, poult placements fell 1 percent monthly and 

were 5 percent below the 2020 level and 9 percent below the 

2017 to 2019. Poults hatched fell 1 percent monthly and were 

down 5 percent yearly. While turkey eggs in incubators rose 4

percent monthly, their level was down 3 percent from the 

March 2020 level. 

Price

Despite decreased producer, turkey meat prices remain high. 

The price for whole frozen hens rose 2 percent monthly to

$1.12 per pound, up 12 percent from March 2020. Prices for 

whole frozen toms, which usually track even with frozen hen 

prices, were 2 cents less ($1.10 per pound) but showed similar 

movement. The fresh hen price was up 5 percent monthly to 

$1.29 per pound, 9 percent above the March 2020 price. 

Whole fresh toms also tracked 1 cent lower, a difference likely 

arising from increased smaller hen demand for Easter holiday

meals. The boneless, skinless turkey breast price fell 2 percent 

in March to $1.67 per pound, up 4 percent from the March 

2020. The tom drumstick price fell 13 percent in March to 

$0.77 per pound, 4 percent higher yearly. The thigh meat price 

fell 6 percent to $1.39 per pound, 1 percent higher yearly. 

International Trade

In volume terms, turkey exports increased 10 percent to 18.8

thousand MT, 5 percent below the February 2020 level. In 

value terms, exports rose 8 percent to $40.3 million, down 18

percent yearly. The top turkey export destination was Mexico,

which had a 68 percent share by sales value.
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 

was down to 3.27 billion pounds, 9 percent lower monthly in 

the February period with 2 fewer slaughter days. On a yearly 

basis, production was down 4 percent. Broiler slaughter was 

similarly down 9 percent monthly at 677 million head, a 6 

percent decrease monthly. Broiler eggs set fell 3 percent in 

March to 921 million, down 13 percent from 2020. Broiler 

chicks placed fell 3 percent monthly to 719 million, down 15 

percent yearly. The most recent 4-period average of weekly 

data through April 2nd has broiler egg set up 2 percent and 

chicks placed down 2 percent. 

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

fell 6 percent monthly to 769 million pounds, at its lowest level 

since March of 2017 and down 17 percent from 2020. As 

shown in the figure, total chicken in cold storage is well below 

its 3-year average. Stocks of whole broilers fell 15 percent 

monthly and were down 39 percent yearly. Among parts with 

year-over-year increasing stocks, legs and bone-in thighs in 

cold storage were up yearly by 16 percent and 68 percent 

respectively. Among parts with year-over-year decreasing 

stocks, drums, leg boneless thighs, and wings were down 16 

percent, 44 percent, 44, and 22 percent yearly. Breast stocks 

were down 7 percent monthly and unchanged from the 2020

level.

Price

The National Composite Whole Body broiler price rose 4 

percent in March to $0.87 per pound, up 9 percent from the 

previous year. The boneless, skinless breast price was up 6 

percent to $1.41, up 25 percent yearly. The bone-in breast 

price rose 5 percent to $1.13 per pound, up 3 percent yearly. 

Bone-in thigh prices rose 16 percent to $0.54 per pound, down 

20 percent yearly. Tenderloin prices rose 2 percent to $1.88

per pound, up 27 percent yearly. Leg quarters increased 13

percent monthly to $0.38 per pound, still 13 percent below its 

March 2020 level. Boneless skinless thigh prices rose 9 percent 

monthly to $0.92 per pound, 10 percent below last year's price. 

Drumstick prices were up 6 percent monthly at $0.45 per 

pound, up 3 percent from the February 2020 level. Wing prices 

again pushed past 2 percent higher than last month’s record 

high to $2.83 per pound and are 66 percent than the February 

2020 level. 

International Trade

In volume terms, February chicken exports fell 8 percent to 259

thousand MT, down 2 percent from their 2020 level. In value 

terms, exports fell 1 percent to $259 million, down 4 percent 

yearly. In February, the top chicken export destinations were, 

by volume, Mexico (20 percent), Cuba (9 percent), Taiwan (6.3 

percent), China (5.8 percent), and Angola (5 percent). Imports 

of chicken were 4 metric tons in February, less than 2 percent 

of exports and originated mainly from Canada. 

BEEF/VEAL

Production

February 2021 beef production totaled 2.11 billion pounds, 1

percent lower than last February 2020 and 9 percent below

January 2021. Cattle slaughter was 2.52 million head, down 2

percent year-over-year and 8 percent lower monthly. Average 

live weight rose 14 pounds yearly but lost 9 pounds from

January at 1,390 pounds. Veal production in February was 4.7

million pounds, up 2 percent from January but down 8 percent

year-over-year. Calf slaughter totaled 33,000 head, 17 lower

percent yearly but up 2 percent monthly. The average live calf 

weighed 23 pounds more than the year before and was steady 

on a month-to-month basis at 247 pounds. Both total beef and 

boneless beef in cold storage at the end of February rose 3

percent from February 2020 but were down 2 percent 

monthly. Beef cut supplies in freezers fell 4 percent monthly

but increased 7 percent year-over-year. Veal inventories were 

3 percent below the previous month but up 84 percent yearly.

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) averaged a few cents 

higher than the prior month at $114 per cwt and added 2

percent yearly. The graph below shows that the beef cutout 

value shed $2, or 1 percent lower monthly and 2 percent higher

yearly to $234 per cwt. 90 percent lean boneless beef added

$6 to $232 per cwt, up 3 percent from February and 2 percent

from last March, while 50 percent lean trim gained $5 for an 

average of $53, up 10 percent for the month but 4 percent

lower yearly. The average price for hide-off veal carcasses

increased $3 to $297 per cwt, 1 percent above the month

before, but 3 percent below the prior year.

International Trade

February 2021 beef and veal exports (including variety meats) 

totaled 103 thousand MT, a loss of 8 percent yearly and 2

percent monthly. The export value fell 2 percent from last year 

but rose 3 percent from last month to $670 million. Just over 

half of beef exports were sent to South Korea and Japan, with

China, Mexico and Canada receiving about 10 percent each.

Year-over-year beef import volumes for February fell 14

percent to 72 thousand MT and fell 7 percent in value to $464

million. Monthly volume lost 11 percent and value lost 8

percent. Canada imported 32 percent of the beef trade to the 

U.S. with Mexico importing 26 percent. Australia, New Zealand,

and Brazil were the next largest source of imports.
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 equaled 2.27 billion pounds, down 

9 percent monthly and 2 percent yearly. Total hogs slaughtered 

was 10.4 million head, 3 percent lower than 2020 and 7

percent below January. Average live hog weight added 3

pounds yearly but dropped 4 pounds from January to 291

pounds. All pork in cold storage in February was up 7 percent 

from January and down 21 percent from 2020. Monthly total 

ham storage rose 10 percent but on a yearly basis it fell 19

percent. Bone-in hams added 49 percent monthly but lost 13

percent yearly, while boneless hams shed 4 percent monthly

and 22 percent yearly. Belly inventories rose 22 percent 

month-over-month but fell 46 percent compared to February

2020. Total loin stocks were up 15 percent from January but

lost 8 percent yearly. Pork trimmings in freezers were down 

slightly on a monthly basis and 23 percent for the year.

Price

The graphs below contrast the steady beef cutout value

compared to the rapid rise of pork. March negotiated carcass 

price for barrows and gilts jumped $21 to $89 per cwt, gaining

31 percent monthly and 62 percent yearly. The pork cutout 

value increased $14 to $102 per cwt, adding 15 percent for the 

month and 39 percent for the year. Boneless center cut loin

prices, again crept up $1 to $118 per cwt, or 1 percent, but 

declined 2 percent from last March. Trimmed, selected ham

prices (23-27 pounds) continued to rise, up $4 to $74 per cwt, 

5 percent above February and 34 percent yearly. The 72 

percent lean pork trimmings price added $32 to average $118

per cwt, 37 percent higher monthly and 70 percent higher 

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

$19 to $121 per cwt, up 19 percent monthly and 23 percent

yearly. Pork belly primal values rose $33 in March to $178 per 

cwt, 23 percent above the prior month and 131 percent above 

the prior year. 

International Trade

Exports of pork were down 12 percent from February 2020 at 

233 thousand metric tons, falling 13 percent in value to $605

million. Compared to January, export volume was down 4 

percent and value was down 2 percent. Japan, China, Mexico, 

Canada, and South Korea continued to be our largest export 

markets, with 15 percent of pork export volume and 24 percent 

of pork export value sent to Japan. For China, value and volume 

were 19 and 24 percent, respectively. Year-over-year, February

pork imports were up 5 percent in volume at 33 thousand MT 

and up 12 percent in value at $130 million. Import volume fell 

9 percent from January with value down 3 percent. More than 

half of pork imports in February came from Canada, with Italy,

Mexico, Poland, and Denmark each sending 4 to 9 percent of 

imported pork.

LAMB

Production

February lamb and mutton production was 10.8 million 

pounds, up 4 percent from January and 1 percent higher yearly. 

Sheep slaughter totaled 163,600 head,slightly lower than 2020 

but up 1 percent monthly. The average live weight rose 3

pounds from last month and 2 pounds from last year at 132

pounds. Lamb stocks in cold storage were down 35 percent 

from 2020 and unchanged from the month before.

Price

The March negotiated live slaughter lamb average price rose

$10 to $174 per cwt, 6 percent higher monthly, and up 7

percent year-over-year. The lamb cutout value increased $27

in March to $475 per cwt, rising 6 percent monthly and 10 

percent yearly. Leg of lamb, trotter-off (IMPS 233A) added $18

for an average of $435 per cwt, up 4 percent monthly and 12

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

fell $3, or 1 percent, compared to the prior month at $361 per 

cwt, but remained up 9 percent from March 2020. Ground 

lamb (IMPS 296) returned last month’s losses and more to 

grow $78 to $633 per cwt, 32 percent above February and up

34 percent from last year. 

International Trade

The U.S. lamb export volume nearly doubled in February

relative to January up 97 percent in volume and up 50 percent

in value, to 126 metric tons with a value of $598,000. February

export volume was down 50 percent from 2020, with value 

down 44 percent. The destinations for the highest volume of 

U.S. lamb exports were Trinidad and Tobago, Bermuda and the 

Dominican Republic. Imports of lamb to the U.S. dropped 51

percent in February compared to January at 4.9 thousand 

metric tons, while the value of imports fell 55 percent to $36

million. Year-over-year imports were 59 percent lower in 

volume and 52 percent lower in value. About 76 percent of 

lamb imports were from Australia and 21 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. 

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

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

thousand poults placed

Monthly Turkey Poults Placed

2021 2020 2017-2019 avg

750

800

850

900

950

1,000

million pounds

Total Chicken in Cold Storage

2021 2020 2017-2019 avg

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 Carcass Cutout Value

2021 2020 2017-2019 avg

175.0

225.0

275.0

325.0

375.0

425.0

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

Monthly Choice 600-900 lb. Beef Cutout Value

2021 2020 2017-2019 avg