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 6-20

June 2020

EGGS

Production

Production indicators showed small declines compared to 

2019 levels. Compared with March 2020, April shell egg 

production fell 4 percent to 660 million dozen, broiler-type 

hatching egg production fell 3 percent to 93.2 million dozen, 

and egg-type hatching eggs fell 4 percent to 7.2 million dozen. 

Compared with April 2019, egg production was down 3 

percent, broiler-type hatching egg production down 4 percent, 

and egg-type hatching eggs was unchanged. Layers on hand 

were down slightly across types. Compared with the previous 

month's figure, May table-egg layers fell 2 percent to 325.3 

million, broiler hatching-egg layers fell 0.4 percent to 61.5 

million, and egg-type hatching-egg layers fell 2 percent to 3.3 

million. Year-on-year, table-egg layer fell 4 percent, broiler 

hatching-egg layers rose 3 percent, and egg-type hatching-egg 

layers rose 6 percent. Pullets added during February for all 

types of egg production was 27.4 million, down 2.4 percent 

monthly and 5.1 percent annually.

Price

Prices returned to ordinary levels following the price surge 

resulting from households stockpiling shell eggs during the 

initial weeks of the Covid-19 pandemic. Compared to April, the 

May price for a dozen Large Grade A eggs in the New York 

wholesale market fell 54.3 percent to 97.9 cents /dozen, the 

National Index Price fell percent 50 percent to 47.3, and the 

Central States Breaking Stock price fell 26 percent to 29 cents 

per dozen. While substantially off of April 2020 high, the New 

York large egg price was 62 percent above and the Central 

States price was 35 percent above its 2020 level. 

International Trade

U.S. table shell egg exports in April totaled 9.8 million dozen, 

up 6 percent from March but down 15 percent from April 2019. 

The export value was $10.8 million, down 4 percent monthly 

but up 32 percent yearly. At 3.9 thousand metric tons, the 

volume of egg products exported was up 22 percent monthly 

and 46 percent from April 2019. Egg product exports in 

February were valued at $12.8 million, up 15 percent from 

March and up 36 percent from April last year. Hong Kong, 

Mexico, and Canada respectively comprised 39, 37, and 10 

percent of all egg exports by value.

TURKEY

Production

The U.S. produced 441 million pounds of turkey on a ready-tocook basis in April, down 13 percent monthly and 9 percent 

yearly. At 27.6 million, turkey eggs in incubators on the first of 

April were down 1 percent monthly and 2 percent year-onyear. At 21.8, February poult placements were up slightly on a 

monthly basis and down 5 percent year-over-year.

Total turkey in cold storage rose 8 percent in April on a monthly 

basis but was down 12 percent on a yearly basis. Total stocks 

of whole frozen birds, hens, and toms were down 21, 32, and 

10 percent, respectively, from last year. Breast meat and leg 

meat stocks were down 10 and 27 percent year-over-year.

Price

The average April prices of whole fresh hens and toms were 

both up 1 percent over the April 2020 prices to the 120 to 121 

cents/lb. range. The average May prices of whole frozen hens 

and toms was 104 cents/lb., up 2 percent over the April 2020 

prices and 22 to 23 above May 2019 prices. 

For individual cuts, the fresh tom boneless, skinless breast 

price was 161 cents per lb., up 5 percent on a monthly basis 

and down 22 percent year-to-year. Fresh tom drumstick meat 

fell 3 percent on a monthly basis to 69 cents per lb., which is 2 

percent higher than its May 2019 level. The May fresh tom 

thigh price fell to 112 which is 5 percent below its April 2020 

price and 19 percent below its May 2019 level. 

International Trade

In April, the U.S. exported 22,600 thousand metric tons of 

turkey products with a value of $50.5 million. The volume was 

4 percent lower and the value was 10 percent lower than in 

March. Compared with April 2019, exports were 10 percent 

lower in volume and 3 percent lower in value. Mexico was the 

top export markets for U.S. turkey meat in April 2020, 

accounting for 61 percent of U.S. exports.
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 volume of young chicken in April 2019 fell 7 percent 

monthly but was unchanged yearly for a total of 3.6 billion 

pounds on a ready-to-cook basis. However, May egg set and 

placement was substantially lower on both a monthly and 

yearly basis. At 756 million, eggs set were 20 percent less than 

the April 2020 level and 27 percent less than the May 2019 

level. At 575 million, chicks placed were 24 percent less than 

the April 2020 and 32 percent lower less than the May 2019 

level. 

 

Total stocks of chicken in cold storage at the end of April were 

934 million pounds, up 2 percent from the end of March 2020 

and up 6 percent from April 2019. Stocks of whole broilers 

were up 12 percent from the previous month and up 25

percent from the year before. Bone-in thighs in cold storage 

were down 12 percent yearly and down 22 percent monthly. 

Drumstick stocks were down 6 percent yearly and down 10 

percent monthly. Stocks of boneless, skinless breasts in 

freezers were up 33 percent yearly and 8 percent monthly. 

Cold storage of wings were down 13 percent yearly and 1 

percent monthly. Leg quarters were up 25 percent yearly but 

down 7 percent monthly.

Price

Compared to April 2020, whole broiler prices were up 38 

percent to 74 cents per pound, 27 percent below the April 2019 

price. Boneless, skinless breast prices rose 47 percent monthly 

and 12 percent yearly to 134 cents per lb. Wing prices rose 52 

percent to 159 cents per pound, a figure 18 percent above its 

May 2019 price. Bulk leg quarter prices fell 2 percent to 33 

cents per lb., 27 percent lower yearly. Boneless, skinless thigh 

meat prices rose 13 percent to 107 cents per lb., down 12 

percent yearly. Bone-in thighs prices held steady with no 

change on a monthly basis at 72 cents per lb., 4 percent lower 

than May 2019. Drumsticks prices gained 15 percent to 53 

cents per lb., 32 percent above its May 2019 level. 

International Trade

April exports of chicken and chicken products totaled 265 

thousand metric tons valued at $229 million. This is a 14 

decrease in volume and a 17 decrease in value compared to 

March. Year-over-year, this represents an 8 percent increase in 

volume and a 1 percent increase in value. Mexico, China, 

Taiwan, Canada, and Cuba were the top 5 importers of U.S. 

broiler meat, comprising 53 percent of export value.

BEEF/VEAL

Production

April 2020 beef production, at 1.82 billion pounds, followed a 

record high month with 20 percent less beef output than April

2019 and 25 percent lower than in March 2020. Cattle 

slaughter was 2.24 million head, down 21 percent year-overyear and 13 percent higher monthly. The average live weight 

was up 24 pounds from last year and 15 pounds lower than 

March at 1,353 pounds. Veal production in April 2020 was 4.8

million pounds, down 20 percent year-over-year, and 17 below

March. Calf slaughter was 33,300 head, down 22 percent 

yearly but up 9 percent from March. The average live weight 

was up 9 pounds yearly and 18 pounds monthly at 250 pounds.

Accumulated beef production for the year to date was up 1 

percent from last year, while veal production was down 10 

percent.

Total beef in cold storage at the end of April was up 14 percent 

compared with the end of April 2019, and 2 percent lower than

March. Stocks of boneless beef were down 2 percent on a

monthly basis and up 16 percent yearly, while beef cuts were 

13 percent lower month-over-month and 8 percent lower yearover-year. Veal stocks in freezers rose 6 percent relative to 

March but were slightly lower yearly.

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) averaged $113 per 

cwt. in May 2020 recouping $12, or 10 percent, from April 2020 

but were down 5 percent from the May 2019 price. The 

monthly average beef cutout value saw a massive $158 per 

cwt. increase, to $417 per cwt., up 61 percent from April and 

87 percent from last May. The 90 percent lean boneless beef 

monthly average price gained $47.00 per cwt., up 19 percent 

on a monthly basis at $292 per cwt., 31 percent higher yearover-year. The 50 percent lean trim prices nearly tripled the 

April price, up $131 to $204 per cwt., jumping 180 percent 

from April and 143 percent from last year. Alternatively, the 

average prices for hide-off veal carcasses fell $9 to $283 per 

cwt., shedding 3 percent monthly and 7 percent yearly.

International Trade

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

variety meats) were down 15 percent at 99 thousand MT while 

the export value was 14 percent lower at $601 million. The 

export volume and value were down 6 and 11 percent, 

respectively, from March. For the year so far, beef exports are 

up 5 percent from 2019, and the value of exports is up 3 

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

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

import volumes for April gained 11 percent compared to last 

year for a total of 107 thousand MT and were 12 percent higher 

in value at $615 million. On a monthly basis volume increased 

28 percent and value rose 23 percent. For the year to date, 

2020 imports are up 8 percent in value and 3 percent in 

volume. Australia, Mexico, New Zealand and Canada imported 

the largest volumes of beef to the U.S. in April 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 April totaled 2.03 billion pounds, 21 percent

lower monthly and down 11 percent yearly. The number of 

hogs slaughtered was 9.41 million head, down 21 percent from 

March and 11 percent from last April 2019. The average live 

weight was up 2 pounds from last year and 1 pound from last 

month at 289 pounds. Total 2020 pork production to date 

remains up from this period in 2019, by 4 percent.

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

down slightly from March and 1 percent lower than last year. 

Ham inventories rose 30 percent month-over-month but were 

down 6 percent year-over-year, with stocks of bone-in hams 

up 32 percent monthly and 12 percent yearly, and boneless 

hams up 29 percent monthly and down 11 percent from 2019. 

Belly inventories added 3 percent monthly and 32 percent 

compared to last year. Total loin stocks fell 10 percent from 

March and 3 percent yearly. Pork rib stocks fell 13 percent 

monthly and lost 21 percent from 2019. Pork trimmings in 

freezers were 3 percent lower than March but 21 percent 

higher than last year.

Price

The monthly average negotiated carcass price for barrows and 

gilts in May 2020 shed another $2 per/lb. to $37 per cwt., 4

percent lower monthly and down 53 percent yearly. The pork 

cutout value spiked $40 in May to a monthly average of $105

per cwt., 60 percent higher than April and 24 percent above

May 2019. The monthly average price for trimmed, bone-in 

hams, 23-27 pounds rose $2 to $37 per cwt., 6 percent higher 

monthly, but down 51 percent from last year. Prices for picnic 

meat combos, cushion out, nearly doubled, up $59 to $132 per 

cwt., 82 percent higher monthly, and 36 percent above 2019. 

72 percent lean pork trimmings prices more than doubled the 

April price, $88 per cwt. higher at $131 per cwt. and 62 percent 

over last May. Pork belly primal values also more than doubled 

monthly, gaining $61 per cwt. to $114 per cwt., 114 percent

higher monthly and up 24 percent yearly. 

International Trade

Pork exports (including variety meats) in April 2020 gained 22

percent over April 2019 at 257 thousand metric tons and rose 

29 percent in value to $651 million. Compared to March, 

export volume was down 11 percent, and value was down 10

percent. Cumulative exports for 2020 so far are up 35 percent 

in volume and up 48 percent in value. China, Japan, Mexico 

Canada and South Korea were our largest export markets. 

Compared to last year, April pork imports were 26 percent 

lower in volume at 31 thousand MT, and 16 percent lower in 

value at $116 million. Import volume was down 2 percent from 

March while value was 1 percent lower. For the year to date, 

the volume of pork imports is down 24 percent from 2019, with 

the value down 16 percent. Canada, Italy, Poland, Denmark

and Mexico were the top importers of pork to the U.S. 

LAMB

Production

April lamb and mutton production, at 11.1 million pounds, was 

down 27 percent from April 2019 and 9 percent below March. 

Sheep slaughter totaled 180,900 head, percent higher than

March, and down 23 percent from last year. The average live 

weight was 123 pounds, up 1 pound from last month and down 

6 pounds yearly. January to April 2020 commercial lamb and 

mutton production was down 12 percent. Lamb stocks in cold 

storage were 8 percent less than in 2019 although they were 1

percent higher on a monthly basis.

Price

For the second consecutive month negotiated live slaughter 

lamb prices were not reported due to confidentiality. The 

average lamb cutout value fell $16 to a monthly average of 

$411 per cwt., down 4 percent from April but up 6 percent 

from last May. The monthly average price for leg of lamb, 

trotter-off rose $6 to $389 per cwt., up 2 percent monthly and 

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

lost $6, falling to $331 per cwt., down 2 percent from the 

month before but up 13 percent from May 2019. Trimmed 4x4 

loins lost $18 to $478 per cwt., 4 percent below April and 8 

percent below last year. 

International Trade

The U.S. lamb export volume dropped 74 percent in April

relative to March, but rose 94 percent yearly, with exports at 

324 metric tons. The export sales value was 70 percent lower 

monthly and down 58 percent yearly at $0.6 million. For the 

first four months of 2020, lamb exports are 144 percent above 

the 2019 volume, though the value of exports was down 11 

percent. Mexico, Canada and the Leeward-Windward Islands

were the top destinations for U.S. lamb and mutton. Imports 

of lamb to the U.S. rose 55 percent in April compared to March

at 19 thousand metric tons, while the value of imports jumped

65 percent to $122 million. Year-over-year imports were up 47

percent in volume and up 9 percent in value. Total lamb 

imports for 2020 so far are up 27 percent in volume, but down 

8 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. 

25.0

50.0

75.0

100.0

125.0

150.0

175.0

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

cents per dozen

Loose Shell Eggs, LG, W, Monthly National Index 

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg

100.0

105.0

110.0

115.0

120.0

125.0

130.0

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

cents per pound

Nat'l Whole Fresh Turkey Hen Price

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg

175.00

200.00

225.00

250.00

275.00

300.00

325.00

350.00

375.00

400.00

425.00

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

dollars per hundredweight

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