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 9-20

September 2020

EGGS

Production

Eggs showed modest growth, but production remains below 

2019 levels. Table egg production grew 6 percent monthly to 

668 million dozen, a figure still 3 percent below its July 2019 

level but smallest year-on-year shortfall since March. Similarly, 

shell eggs broken also grew 5 percent to 191 million dozen, a 

value 8 percent below it July 2019 level.

Egg-type hatching eggs also grew 4 percent in July to 6.9 million 

dozen while still being 2 percent below its July 2019 level. 

Layers on hand fell 1 percent to 313 million, 5 percent below 

its previous year's level. Moreover, table egg layers-on-hand 

have been below the previous year’s level in 13 of the last 14 

months. Pullets added fell 15 percent to 23.3 million, a figure 

12 percent below its July 2019 level. While up 3.7 percent to 

6.9 million, egg-type hatching egg layers are down 2 percent 

from July 2019. Broiler hatching-egg production grew 4 

percent on both a monthly and yearly basis to 97.4 million. 

Broiler hatching-egg layers on hand fell 1 percent monthly but 

remains up 2 percent year-on-year to 60.6 million in August.

Price

The August New York price for Large Grade A wholesale eggs 

rose 4 percent to 90.4 cents per dozen, the National Index Price 

rose 10 percent to 50.4 cents per dozen, and the Central States 

Breaking Stock price rose 31 percent to 41.2 cents per dozen. 

Year-on-year, the New York large egg price was unchanged, the 

National Index price fell 14 percent, while the Central States 

price rose 13 percent.

International Trade

U.S. table shell egg exports grew 16 percent by volume to 10.2 

million dozen, up 4 percent from July 2019. The export value 

of $6.0 million was also up 6 percent monthly but down 3 

percent yearly as a result of low prices. At 3.6 metric tons, the 

egg products export volumes were up 19 percent month and 

34 percent from June 2019. Egg product export values were 

valued at $11.4 million in July, up 3 percent from May and 52 

percent above the July 2019 value. 

TURKEY

Production

Turkey production edged up 1 percent on a monthly basis to 

505 million pounds, a volume 3 percent higher than the 

previous year's level. Poults placed fell 2 percent to 23.5 

million, a figure 7 percent less than last year. Turkey eggs in 

incubators were up 5 percent monthly to 28.5 but down 2 

percent year-on-year. Total turkey in cold storage rose 10 

percent on a monthly basis to 523 million pounds. On a yearly 

basis, however, total turkey in cold storage was down 6 

percent marking the 15th consecutive month of such declines. 

Such year-on-year declines in cold storage stocks apply to both 

whole birds, hens, and toms (down 8 percent, 2 percent, and 

14 percent respectively) and breast, legs, and mechanically 

deboned meat (down 12 percent, 14 percent, and 35 percent 

respectively).

Price

The whole turkey prices exceeded its previous year's level in 

each of the 20 months since January 2019. August prices of 

whole fresh hens and toms edged up 2 percent monthly to 

$1.23 per lb., 16 percent over their August 2019 level. Whole 

frozen hens and toms were up 1 percent to $1.11 per lb., 23 

percent over August 2019 levels. Prices for fresh turkey parts, 

however, remain sharply off their 2019 highs. Fresh tom 

boneless, per skinless breast price was down a penny to $1.69 

per lb., 19 percent below its August 2019 level. Fresh thigh 

prices rose a penny to $116 lb., 25 percent below its August 

2019 level. Fresh tom drumstick meat fell 9 percent on a 

monthly basis to $0.54 per lb., which is 25 percent below its 

August 2019 level. 

International Trade

U.S. exports of turkey totaled 21 thousand metric tons with a 

value of $43.8 million, a 25 percent volume increase and 17 

percent value increase from the previous month. Despite this 

substantial increase, the July volume was 4 percent lower and 

the July value was 21 percent lower than its 2019 level. Mexico 

remains the top U.S. export market with a 70 percent share of 

the 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 of young chicken fell 1 percent on a monthly basis 

to 3.7 billion pounds on a ready-to-cook basis, a 3 percent 

reduction from August 2019. At 1,021 million, July broiler egg 

set and placements was unchanged but remained down 1 

percent on a yearly basis. At 818 million, August chicks placed 

were down 2 percent down on both a monthly and yearly basis.

Total stocks of chicken in cold storage at the end of July was up 

1 percent from the previous month at 876 million pounds and 

up 3 percent from July 2019. Stocks of whole broilers were up 

19 percent monthly and up 31 percent from the year before. 

Bone-in thighs in cold storage were up 12 percent monthly and 

102 percent yearly. Drumstick stocks were up 22 percent 

monthly but down 19 percent monthly. Stocks of boneless, 

skinless breasts in freezers were up 5 percent monthly and up 

15 percent yearly. Cold stored wings were down 7 percent 

monthly and down 22 percent yearly. Leg quarters were up 17 

percent monthly and down 26 percent yearly.

Price

Whole broiler prices were down 7 percent at 66 cents per 

pound and 18 percent below the August 2019 price. Chicken 

part prices changed little since July. The boneless, skinless 

breast price remained at $1.15 per pound and drumstick prices 

remained at $0.39 per pound. On an annual basis, boneless, 

skinless breast price were up 10 percent while drumstick prices 

were down 12 percent. Bone-in thighs fell 4 percent on a 

monthly basis to 42 cents per lb., 47 percent lower than its 

August 2019 level. Wing prices rose 5 percent over July 2020 

levels to 201 cents per pound, 5 percent above the August 

2019 price. Boneless, skinless thigh meat prices fell 9 percent 

to 81 cents per lb., down 31 percent yearly. Bulk leg quarter 

prices fell 6 percent to 26 cents per lb., 41 percent lower yearly.

International Trade

July chick exports rose 7 percent by volume to 267 thousand 

metric tons and 8 percent by valued at $238 million. While this 

volume represented a 3 percent fall from its July 2020 value, 

the value of exports was 22 percent lower as a result of lower 

prices and a weakened dollar. Mexico remains the top export 

destination for U.S. chicken exports by volume with 20 percent 

of exports. Taiwan and Canada are the 2nd and 3rd largest 

export destinations with China falling to forth as its export 

volume has fallen 53 percent since May 2020. 

BEEF/VEAL

Production

July 2020 beef production totaled 2.42 billion pounds, 3

percent more than in 2019 and 2 percent higher than June

2020. Cattle slaughter was 2.92 million head, down 1 percent 

year-over-year but 2 percent higher monthly. The average live 

weight was up 37 pounds from last year and down 2 pounds 

from June at 1,363 pounds. Veal production in July 2020 was 

5.8 million pounds, 8 percent lower year-over-year, but 4 

percent above June. Calf slaughter was 41,100 head, down 23

percent yearly but 10 percent above June slaughter. The 

average live calf weight gained 39 pounds yearly but lost 16

pounds monthly at 244 pounds. Total beef production for the 

year to date was 1 percent below last year, while veal 

production was down 10 percent. Total beef in cold storage at 

the end of July fell 3 percent compared with the end of July

2019 and increased 3 percent from June. Stocks of boneless 

beef added 2 percent on a monthly basis but lost 3 percent 

yearly. Beef cuts were 8 percent higher month-over-month 

but 5 percent lower year-over-year. Veal stocks in freezers rose 

57 percent relative to June and 15 percent yearly.

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) averaged $104 per 

cwt in August 2020, adding $7, or 8 percent, from July 2020 and 

falling 4 percent from the August 2019 price. The monthly 

average beef cutout value rose $12 per cwt, for an average of

$216 per cwt, 6 percent higher than July and 4 percent below 

last August. The 90 percent lean boneless beef monthly 

average price lost $16 per cwt, or 7 percent, on a monthly basis 

at $227 per cwt, but was 2 percent higher year-over-year. The 

August 50 percent lean trim average held steady on a monthly 

basis at $52 per cwt. but dropped 41 percent from last year. 

The average price for hide-off veal carcasses gained $1 for a 

August average of $283 per cwt, up slightly on a month-tomonth basis, but down 8 percent yearly.

International Trade

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

variety meats) were 9 percent below last year at 107 thousand 

MT, while the export value was down 10 percent at $645 

million. The export volume jumped 36 compared to July, while 

the value was up 32 percent from June. For the year to date 

beef exports remain down 9 percent from 2019, and the value 

of exports was down 10 percent. In July, South Korea, Japan, 

Canada, Taiwan and Hong Kong were our largest export 

markets, with more than half exported to South Korea and 

Japan. Year-over-year beef import volumes for July rose 39 

percent compared to last year for a total of 132 thousand MT 

and were 13 percent higher in value at $727 million. On a 

monthly basis volume jumped 20 percent and value rose 13

percent. For the year to date, 2020 beef imports were up 15 

percent in value and 9 percent in volume. Australia, New 

Zealand, Canada, Mexico and Brazil imported the largest 

volumes of beef to the U.S. in July 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 July totaled 2.37 billion pounds, 1 percent 

lower monthly but up 7 percent yearly. The number of hogs 

slaughtered was 11.2 million head, the same as in June and up 

6 percent from July 2019. The average live weight was up 3

pounds from last year but 5 pounds below last month at 283

pounds. Total 2020 pork production to date is up 3 percent 

from this period in 2019. Total stocks of pork in cold storage at 

the end of July were down slightly from June and down 25

percent from last year. Ham inventories added 11 percent for

the month-over-month volume but fell 25 percent year-overyear, with stocks of bone-in hams up 4 percent monthly and 27

percent lower yearly, and boneless hams up 16 percent

monthly but down 24 percent from 2019. Belly inventories fell 

21 percent monthly and 20 percent lower compared to last 

year. Total loin stocks added 16 percent to June’s inventory 

and but lost 20 percent yearly, while pork rib stocks fell 3

percent monthly and 26 percent year-over-year. Pork 

trimmings in freezers fell 7 percent from June and 14 percent 

from last year.

Price

The monthly average negotiated carcass price for barrows and 

gilts in August 2020 continued to rise, adding $5 per cwt to $39 

per cwt, 17 percent higher monthly but down 44 percent 

yearly. The pork cutout value recouped $10 in August, up 11 

percent monthly but down 28 percent from 2019 at $107 per 

cwt, 11 percent below August 2019. The monthly average price 

for trimmed, bone-in hams, 23-27 pounds stayed at the 

previous month’s average during August at $42 per cwt, but 34

percent below last year. Prices for picnic meat combos, 

cushion out, increased $4 to a monthly average of $89 per cwt, 

adding 5 percent monthly and 12 percent yearly. The 72 

percent lean pork trimmings price rose $5 per cwt, adding 7 

percent of its July value, and 22 percent above the 2019 value, 

at $71 per cwt. Pork belly primal values gained $10 on a 

monthly basis to $107 per cwt, 11 percent higher monthly, but 

28 percent lower yearly. 

International Trade

July 2020 pork exports (including variety meats) fell 5 percent 

from July 2019 to 217 thousand metric tons and lost 12 percent 

in value to $525 million. Compared to June, export volume was 

up 7 percent, and value was up 6 percent. Cumulative exports 

for 2020 so far remain up 24 percent in volume and up 20 

percent in value. Japan, China, Canada, Mexico and South 

Korea were again our largest export markets. Compared to last 

year, July pork imports were 9 percent lower in volume at 32

thousand MT, and down 9 percent in value at $116 million. 

Import volume was down 7 percent from June with value 6 

percent lower. For the year to date, the volume of pork 

imports was down 13 percent from 2019, and the value down

9 percent. Canada, Poland, Denmark, Mexico and Italy were 

the top importers of pork to the U.S. 

LAMB

Production

July lamb and mutton production, at 12.1 million pounds, was 

1 percent higher than July 2019 but down 3 percent from June. 

Sheep slaughter totaled 195,100 head, 1 percent lower than

June, but up 3 percent from last year. The average live weight 

was 125 pounds, down 4 pounds from last month and 2 pounds 

below last year. January to July 2020 commercial lamb and 

mutton production was down 6 percent from 2019. Lamb

stocks in cold storage were 4 percent above 2019 but 4 percent 

lower on a monthly basis.

Price

Negotiated live slaughter lamb prices continue to not be 

reported due to confidentiality. The average lamb cutout value 

added $6 on a monthly basis to average $418 per cwt, up 1 

percent monthly and 4 percent above last August. The monthly 

average price for leg of lamb, trotter-off (233A) lost $9 for an 

average of $364 per cwt, down 2 percent monthly and 5 

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

in August fell $2 to $329 per cwt, down 1 percent from the 

month before and up 2 percent from August 2019. Trimmed 

4x4 loins jumped $50 to $612 per cwt, 9 percent higher than 

July and 17 percent above last year. 

International Trade

The U.S. lamb export volume gained 238 percent in July relative 

to June, and jumped 1099 percent yearly, with exports at 2,085

metric tons. The export sales value gained 145 percent 

monthly and 96 percent yearly at $2.2 million. For the year 

2020 so far, lamb exports were 284 percent above the 2019 

volume, but the value of exports was down 3 percent. Mexico,

Bermuda and Trinidad/Tobago were the top destinations for 

U.S. lamb and mutton, more than 90 percent of which was 

shipped to Mexico. Imports of lamb to the U.S. fell 33 percent

in July compared to June at 6 thousand metric tons, while the 

value of imports lost 22 percent to $53 million. Year-over-year 

imports were down 24 percent in volume and down 29 percent 

in value. Total lamb imports for 2020 so far are up 10 percent 

in volume, but down 14 percent relative to 2019. Australia and

New Zealand alone imported nearly all the lamb into 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. 

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

100.0

110.0

120.0

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

cents per pound

Nat'l Whole Broiler Composite Price

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg

425

475

525

575

625

675

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

million pounds

Total Pork in Cold Storage

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg

310

315

320

325

330

335

340

345

350

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

thousand layers

Table-Egg Layers on Hand 1st of Month

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg

390

410

430

450

470

490

510

530

550

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

million pounds

Total Beef in Cold Storage

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg