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 7-20

July 2020

EGGS

Production

Compared with April 2020, May shell egg production fell 4 

percent to 660 million dozen and egg-type hatching eggs fell 1 

percent to 7.1 million dozen. Future table egg production 

indicators declined modestly across the board. Compared with 

the previous month's figure, June table-egg layers fell 1 

percent to 319.7 million, egg-type hatching-egg layers fell 2 

percent to 3.2 million, and egg-type hatching egg production 

fell 1 percent to 7.2 million dozen. Compared to May 2019, 

table-egg layers fell 4 percent, egg-type hatching egg layers fell 

11 percent, and egg-type hatching egg production fell 6 

percent. Additionally, pullets added during May for all types of 

egg production was 25.1 million, down 8.5 percent monthly 

and 18.6 percent annually.

Layer and hatching egg indicators for the broiler industry were 

mixed. Broiler hatching-egg layers fell 1 percent monthly to 

60.8 million but rose 1 percent year-on-year. Broiler-type 

hatching egg production rose to 96.1 million dozen up 3 

percent on both a monthly and yearly basis.

Price

Compared to May, the June price for a dozen Large Grade A 

eggs in the New York wholesale market fell 13.7 percent to 

84.5 cents per dozen and the National Index Price fell 20 

percent to 38.0 cents per dozen. Compared to the June 2019 

price, the New York large egg price fell 9 percent and the 

National Index price fell 18 percent. With the partial reopening 

of restaurants, the Central States Breaking Stock price rose to 

29 cents per dozen, 29 percent above the May level and 64

percent above its June 2019 level.

International Trade

U.S. table shell egg exports in May totaled 8.6 million dozen, 

down 12 percent from April and down 28 percent from May 

2019. The export value was $6.4 million, down 41 percent 

monthly and 20 percent yearly. Across the top 3 export 

destinations, Canada imported 90 percent fewer shell eggs and 

Mexico imported 31 percent fewer while Hong Kong imported 

16 percent more. At 2.8 thousand metric tons, the volume of 

egg products exported was down 30 percent from April and 1 

percent from May 2019. Egg product exports were valued at 

$11.3 million in May, down 12 percent from April and down 10 

percent from May last year. 

TURKEY

Production

The U.S. produced 427 million pounds of turkey on a ready-tocook basis in May, down 3 percent monthly and 13 percent 

yearly. At 26.9 million, turkey eggs in incubators on the first of 

May were down 3 percent monthly and 4 percent year-onyear. At 21.4 million, February poult placements were down 9 

percent on both a monthly basis and year-over-year basis. 

Total turkey in cold storage rose half a percent in May on a 

monthly basis but was down 15 percent on a yearly basis. Total 

stocks of whole frozen birds, hens, and toms were down 23, 

14, and 10 percent, respectively, on an annual basis. Breast 

meat and leg meat stocks were down 12 and 5 percent yearover-year.

Price

The average June prices of whole fresh hens and toms moved 

down slightly from the May 2020 prices to a 119 to 120 cents

per pound range. The average June prices of whole frozen hens 

and toms was 105 cents per pound, up 1 to 2 percent over their 

May 2020 prices and 21 to 22 percent over their June 2019 

levels. 

For individual cuts, the fresh tom boneless, skinless breast 

price was 178 cents per pound, up 11 percent on a monthly 

basis but down 14 percent year-to-year. Fresh tom drumstick 

meat fell 2 percent on a monthly basis to 68 cents per pound, 

which is 5 percent below its June 2019 level. The May fresh tom 

thigh price fell to 114 cents per pound which is 2 percent above 

its May 2020 price and 24 percent below its June 2019 level. 

International Trade

In May, the U.S. exported 17,484 thousand metric tons of 

turkey products with a value of $38.0 million. Compared to 

April 2020, volume and value decreased 23 percent and 34 

percent, respectively. Compared with May 2019, volumes and 

value fell 34 percent and 37 percent, respectively. While 

Mexico remains the top U.S. export market, its share of the 

exports fell from 63 to 58 percent between April and May 

2020.
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 chicken was 3.6 billion pounds on a readyto-cook basis in May 2020, a 1.2 percent decrease from an 

already low April level and 7 percent lower than its May 2019 

level. Broiler-type eggs set and placements indicators gave 

mixed signals on future production. At 1.0 billion, eggs set 

were 2 percent below its May 2020 level but 1 percent higher 

than its June 2019 level. At 575 million, chicks placed were 3 

percent above its May 2020 and 1 percent lower less than the 

June 2019 level.

Supply chain disruptions caused cold storage stock rundowns 

for most parts in May. Total stocks of chicken in cold storage 

at the end of May were 857 million pounds, down 8 percent 

from the end of April 2020 and up 3 percent from the previous 

year. Stocks of whole broilers were up 4 percent from the 

previous month and up 20 percent from the year before. Bonein thighs in cold storage were down 8 percent monthly down 

and 10 percent yearly. Drumstick stocks were down 16 percent 

monthly and 19 percent yearly. Stocks of boneless, skinless 

breasts in freezers were down 11 percent monthly but up 26 

percent yearly. Cold stored wings were down 3 percent 

monthly and 13 percent yearly. Leg quarters were down 2 

percent monthly and up 45 percent yearly.

Price

While whole broiler prices held steady, chicken parts prices 

were mostly down on a monthly basis. At 74 cents per pound, 

whole broiler prices were unchanged from their May 2020 but 

22 percent below the June 2019 price. Boneless, skinless 

breast prices fell to 124 cents per pound, 8 percent lower 

monthly and 7 percent higher than their June 2019 level. The 

drumstick price fell to 46 cents per pound, 12 percent below its 

May 2020 level and 12 percent higher than its June 2019 level. 

Bone-in thighs fell to 66 cents per pound, 8 percent lower on a 

monthly basis and 7 percent lower than its June 2019 level. 

Wing prices rose 9 percent over May 2020 levels to 173 cents 

per pound, a figure 10 percent below its May 2019 price. 

Boneless, skinless thigh meat prices fell 2 percent to 105 cents 

per pound, down 17 percent yearly. Bulk leg quarter prices fell 

to 31 cents per pound, 6 percent lower monthly and 32 percent 

lower yearly.

International Trade

April exports of chicken and chicken products totaled 241 

thousand metric tons valued at $268 million. This is a 9 

decrease in volume and an 8 increase in value compared to 

April. Year-over-year, chicken exports decreased 14 percent in 

volume and 9 percent in value. Between January and May of 

2020, China's share of U.S. chicken exports grew from 1 

percent to 15 percent, edging slightly past Mexico as the 

largest U.S. chicken export destination. 

BEEF/VEAL

Production

May 2020 beef production totaled 1.8 billion pounds, with 20

percent less beef output than in May 2019 but 3 percent higher 

than April 2020. Cattle slaughter was 2.28 million head, down 

23 percent year-over-year but 2 percent higher monthly. The 

average live weight was up 51 pounds from last year and up 14

pounds from April at 1,367 pounds. Veal production in May

2020 was 5.2 million pounds, down 15 percent year-over-year, 

and 17 percent below April. Calf slaughter was 32,400 head, 

down 30 percent yearly and 8 percent below April slaughter. 

The average live calf weight was up 39 pounds yearly and 22

pounds monthly at 274 pounds. Total beef production for the 

year to date was 4 percent below last year, while veal 

production was down 11 percent.

Total beef in cold storage at the end of May was up 2 percent 

compared with the end of May 2019, and 13 percent lower 

than April. Stocks of boneless beef were down 14 percent on a

monthly basis and up 4 percent yearly, while beef cuts were 11

percent lower month-over-month and 15 percent lower yearover-year. Veal stocks in freezers fell 46 percent relative to 

April and were down 44 percent yearly.

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) averaged $105 per 

cwt in June 2020 shedding $8, or 7 percent, from both May

2020 and the June 2019 price. The monthly average beef 

cutout value returned to a more typical level at $241 per cwt, 

up 9 percent from May and down 42 percent from last June. 

The 90 percent lean boneless beef monthly average price lost

$13 per cwt, or 5 percent on a monthly basis at $279 per cwt, 

24 percent higher year-over-year. The June 50 percent lean 

trim average plunged $126 to $78 per cwt, 62 percent below

May and down 17 percent from last year. The average price for 

hide-off veal carcasses held steady at $283 per cwt between 

May and June but fell 7 percent yearly.

International Trade

Compared to 2019, May 2020 beef and veal exports (including 

variety meats) were down 33 percent from last year at 79

thousand MT while the export value was 34 percent lower at 

$480 million. The export volume and value were both down 20 

percent from April. For the year so far, beef exports were down

3 percent from 2019, and the value of exports was down 5

percent. In May, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Canada and 

Taiwan were our largest export markets. Year-over-year beef 

import volumes for May fell 9 percent compared to last year 

for a total of 96 thousand MT but were 7 percent higher in 

value at $638 million. On a monthly basis volume increased 

slightly and value rose 19 percent. For the year to date, 2020 

beef imports were up 8 percent in value and 1 percent in 

volume. Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and Uruguay

imported the largest volumes of beef to the U.S. in May 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 May totaled 1.88 billion pounds, 8 percent

lower monthly and down 15 percent yearly. The number of 

hogs slaughtered was 8.6 million head, down 17 percent from 

April and 8 percent from May 2019. The average live weight 

was up 7 pounds from last year and 5 pounds from last month 

at 294 pounds. Total 2020 pork production to date is up slightly

from this period in 2019.

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

down 24 percent from April and 26 percent below last year. 

Ham inventories lost 5 percent of the month-over-month 

volume and were down 28 percent year-over-year, with stocks 

of bone-in hams 17 percent lower monthly and 31 percent

lower yearly, and boneless hams up 23 percent monthly and 

down 24 percent from 2019. Belly inventories lost 27 percent 

monthly and 8 percent compared to last year. Total loin stocks 

fell 32 percent from April and 40 percent yearly, while pork rib 

stocks fell 33 percent monthly and 39 percent from last year’s 

volume. Pork trimmings in freezers were 20 percent lower than

April and down 6 percent from last year.

Price

The monthly average negotiated carcass price for barrows and 

gilts in June 2020 continued to fall, losing $7 per/cwt to $30 per 

cwt, 19 percent lower monthly and down 60 percent yearly. 

The pork cutout value returned to its seasonal pattern, down

$36 in June, or 34 percent, for a monthly average of $69 per 

cwt, 14 percent below June 2019. The monthly average price 

for trimmed, bone-in hams, 23-27 pounds lost $2 to $35 per 

cwt, 6 percent lower monthly, and 51 percent below last year. 

Prices for picnic meat combos, cushion out, dropped $25 to a 

monthly average of $125 per cwt, losing 19 percent monthly, 

but up 7 percent yearly. The 72 percent lean pork trimmings 

price dropped 28 percent of its May value, but added 12 

percent to the 2019 value, to average $94 per cwt. Pork belly 

primal values shed $17 per cwt to $97 per cwt, 15 percent

lower monthly and down 8 percent yearly. 

International Trade

May 2020 pork exports (including variety meats) rose 13

percent against May 2019 to 239 thousand metric tons and 

added 12 percent in value to $601 million. Compared to April, 

export volume was down 7 percent, and value was down 8

percent. Cumulative exports for 2020 so far are up 31 percent 

in volume and up 40 percent in value. China, Japan, Canada,

Mexico and South Korea were our largest export markets. 

Compared to last year, May pork imports were 11 percent 

higher in volume at 37 thousand MT, and up 7 percent in value 

at $133 million. Import volume was up 48 percent from April

while value was 42 percent higher. For the year to date, the 

volume of pork imports was down 16 percent from 2019, with 

the value down 10 percent. Canada, Italy, Poland, Mexico and 

Denmark were the top importers of pork to the U.S. 

LAMB

Production

May lamb and mutton production, at 12.6 million pounds, was 

down 7 percent from May 2019 but up 14 percent above April. 

Sheep slaughter totaled 195,300 head, 8 percent higher than

April, and down 7 percent from last year. The average live 

weight was 129 pounds, 6 pounds over last month and 1 pound

higher yearly. January to May 2020 commercial lamb and 

mutton production was down 11 percent from 2019. Lamb

stocks in cold storage were 25 percent above 2019 and 18

percent higher on a monthly basis.

Price

For the third consecutive month negotiated live slaughter lamb 

prices were not reported due to confidentiality. The average 

lamb cutout value inched up $1 to a monthly average of $412

per cwt, a slight uptick from May and 5 percent above last June. 

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

$55 to $444 per cwt, up 14 percent monthly and 15 percent 

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

dipped $2 to $329 per cwt, down 0.5 percent from the month 

before but up 8 percent from June 2019. Trimmed 4x4 loins 

saw a leap of $70 to $548 per cwt, 15 percent higher than May

and 4 percent above last year. 

International Trade

The U.S. lamb export volume lost 21 percent in May relative to 

April, but gained 21 percent yearly, with exports at 257 metric 

tons. The export sales value was 4 percent lower monthly and 

down 58 percent yearly at $0.54 million. For the first five

months of 2020, lamb exports were 120 percent above the 

2019 volume, and the value of exports was down 20 percent. 

Mexico, Hong Kong and Bermuda were the top destinations for 

U.S. lamb and mutton. Imports of lamb to the U.S. fell 31

percent in May compared to April at 9 thousand metric tons, 

while the value of imports lost 24 percent to $69 million. Yearover-year imports were down 1 percent in volume and down 

22 percent in value. Total lamb imports for 2020 so far are up 

22 percent in volume, but down 10 percent relative to 2019. 

Australia, New Zealand and Chile are the top three lamb meat 

importing countries to the U.S.

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. 

6.3

6.6

6.9

7.2

7.5

7.8

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

thousand dozens

Monthly Egg-Type Hatching Egg Production

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg

700

720

740

760

780

800

820

840

860

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

thousand chicks set

Monthly Broiler Chicks Placed

2019 2020 2016-2018 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

2020 2019 2016-2018 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

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg
Source: USDA AMS Agricultural Analytics Division Page 5

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. 

Special Section—Future Production Indicators for Poultry and Eggs

The covid-19 pandemic has had widespread effects through meat, poultry, and egg 

markets. The closure of restaurants and food service establishments severely reduced 

the demand for specific meat cuts and egg products. At the same time, slaughter 

facilities, processing plant closures, and packaging shortages disrupted supply chains. 

Uncertainty over the potential duration of continued market disruptions caused shortrun dips in future production indicators for poultry and eggs in May. These dips likely 

reflected the concern of processor integrators that demand disruptions and plant 

closures may continue through the time needed for broiler chicks, poults (i.e. young 

turkeys), and pullets (i.e. young egg-laying hens) to be productive. While such concerns 

may have been alleviated by the subsequent relaxation of state-level stay-at-home and 

restaurant closure orders and the late-April federal designation of meat processing 

plants as critical infrastructure, the effect of April and May stocking reductions on future

poultry and egg supplies will persist through the next production cycle. 

For chicken, following a 10 percent drop in April, broiler chicks placements grew 5 

percent in May and 3 percent in June to 810 million. The most recent figure represents 

a 0.6 percent reduction from June 2019 levels. For eggs, pullet additions fell 2 percent 

in April and 9 percent in May. Hatching eggs for egg production were also down 1 

percent in April and 6 percent in May. These reductions may reflect some producers 

extending the production cycles of existing flocks to take advantage of very high April 

and May prices in the short run. For turkeys, the seasonality of supply and demand make 

annual changes more informative than monthly ones. While poult placements had been 

2 percent lower than 2019 levels in March, they were 11 percent lower in May 2020. 

Statistical oddities likely fog the interpretation of the monthly figures. Compared to 

2019, May 2020 had two fewer working days (21) and June 2020 (22) had two more 

working days. Market watchers may want to adjust their interpretation of the May and 

June numbers accordingly. 

24.0

26.0

28.0

30.0

32.0

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

thousand layers

Pullets Added During Month

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg

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

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg