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 09-19

September 2019

EGGS

Production

Table egg production in July was up 3 percent from June at 683

million dozen, 2 percent above last year. Broiler-type hatching 

egg production in July was up 3 percent compared to 2018 with 

1.1 billion broiler-type hatching eggs produced. In July, 85

million egg-type hatching eggs were produced, 1 percent more

than last year. Shell eggs broken totaled 208 million dozen 

during July, up 6 percent from a year ago, and up 5 percent

from June.

The number of table-egg layers in the national flock on August

1 was up slightly from July and steady against 2018 at 328

million birds. Hatching egg layers for the table egg flock 

declined 3 percent from last year to 3.4 million birds, and the 

broiler-type hatching egg flock, at 59.3 million birds was up 1 

percent from 2018. The number of pullets added during July

for all types of egg production was up 5 percent yearly at 27

million.

Price

Prices for one dozen Large Grade A eggs in the New York 

wholesale market gained 38 percent in August with a monthly 

average of 91 cents/dozen, 24 percent below August 2018. 

Breaking stock prices gained 57 percent in August, averaging 

36.4 cents per dozen, up 13 cents per dozen from July. This 

average monthly price is 37 percent below the average 

monthly price for August 2018.

International Trade

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

down 6 percent from June but up 27 percent over July 2018,

with a value of $6.6 million, a decline in value of 4 percent for 

the month and 15 percent for the year. At 2.7 metric tons, the 

volume of egg products exported fell 1 percent from June but

was up 5 percent above July 2018. Egg product exports in July

were valued at $11.2 million, up 9 percent from June and up 

10 percent from last year. Cumulative yearly exports of shell 

eggs are up 27 percent while that for egg products are down 

10 percent in volume and down 15 and 10 percent, 

respectively, in value. Mexico, Canada and Jamaica were the 

largest export destinations for U.S. table shell eggs while Japan 

leads as the largest buyer of U.S. egg products, with two thirds 

of this volume in liquid yolk. 

TURKEY

Production

The U.S. produced 491 million pounds of turkey on a ready-tocook basis in July, up 4 percent monthly and 1 percent yearly.

Eggs in incubators on the first of August were up slightly from 

both the previous month and year at 29.2 million eggs, while 

July poult placements fell 5 percent, year-over-year, to 24.3

million, while up 14 percent monthly.

As of the end of July, total turkey stocks in cold storage were 6

percent below the July 2018 level but 3 percent above June. 

Whole frozen bird stocks were down 6 from last year with hens 

up 1 percent and toms down 12 percent. White meat stocks 

were 2 percent higher year-over-year, while dark meat stocks 

were down 28 percent.

Price

Whole frozen hens and toms both ended August up 2 cents to 

90 cents/lb. Hen and tom prices were also both 12 percent 

over last year. Boneless/skinless (b/s) fresh tom breast prices 

held steady at 207 cents/lb. for the third month in a row, 6

percent higher yearly. Fresh b/s tom thigh meat averaged 156

cents/lb. in August, 21 percent over 2018 while fresh tom 

drumsticks fell slightly to 71 cents/lb., 6 percent above last 

year. 

International Trade

In July, the U.S. exported 23.4 thousand metric tons of turkey 

products with a value of $56 million. This volume was 5

percent lower than June and the value was 1 percent lower. 

Compared with July 2018, exports were up 5 percent in 

volume and 17 percent in value. Total 2019 exports to date 

outpace 2018 by 4 percent in volume and in value. In July, 

Mexico remained the dominate export destination for U.S. 

turkey meat, with Japan and Canada rounding out the top 

three export markets. 

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

Production of young chicken in July, at 3.86 billion pounds on a 

ready-to-cook basis increased 6 percent from last year and 10

percent monthly. For the five weeks ending August 29, eggs 

set were up 28 percent and chicks placed were up 27 percent 

compared with the same period last year.

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

850 million pounds, up 2 percent from the end of June 2019 

and down 3 percent from June 2018. Stocks of whole broilers 

were down 4 percent from the previous month and up 26

percent from 2018 levels. Bone-in thighs in cold storage 

declined 17 percent in July compared to June, and were down 

21 percent year-over-year, while drumstick supplies gained 16

percent monthly and yearly. Stocks of b/s breasts in freezers 

were 4 percent higher yearly but down 1 percent from the 

month before. Cold storage of wings was up 4 percent for the 

month and down 27 percent from last year’s levels. Leg 

quarters were down 21 percent from last year and were up 19

percent monthly.

Price

Compared to July, whole broiler prices lost 7 cents, or 8

percent, in August to 81 cents/lb., 7 percent below the 2018 

monthly average price. Boneless/skinless (B/S) breast prices 

were down 6 cents /lb. for the month to close at 105 cents/lb., 

7 percent under the August 2018 level. Wing prices lost 1 cent 

to 191 cents per pound, 35 percent above last August. Bulk leg 

quarter prices also lost 1 cent, falling to 44 cents/lb., 41

percent higher than in 2018. Boneless/skinless thigh meat

prices fell 9 cents to 118 cents/lb., 1 percent below 2018, while 

their bone-in counterparts moved down 2 cents/lb. in August

to 80 cents/lb., 36 percent over 2018. Drumsticks held steady 

at 45 cents/lb., 8 percent above last year. 

International Trade

July exports of chicken and chicken products totaled 275

thousand metric tons valued at $306 million. This is an

increase in volume of 9 percent and an 11 percent increase in 

value compared with June. Year-over-year, this represents a 4

percent increase in volume and a 15 percent increase in value. 

Year-to-date exports of chicken are up 1 percent in volume but 

down 2 percent in value. Mexico continues to be the dominate 

export destination in July followed by Canada, Cuba, Angola, 

and Hong Kong. 

BEEF/VEAL

Production

With one less day of operation, July 2019 beef production, was 

up 6 percent from last year and last month at 2.36 billion 

pounds. Cattle slaughter numbers totaled 2.94 million head, up 

6 percent year-over-year, and 5 percent monthly. The average 

live weight was down 4 pounds from last year and up 13 

pounds from June at 1,326 pounds. Beef production for the 

year-to-date is up 3 percent from 2018. Veal production in July

2019 was 6.3 million pounds, up 2 percent on a yearly basis and 

10 percent monthly. Calf slaughter volume equaled 53,700 

head, up 12 percent yearly and 21 percent from June. The 

average live weight was 18 pounds lower both monthly, and

yearly, at 223 pounds. Accumulated veal production was down 

slightly from last year.

Total beef in cold storage at the end of July was down 6 percent 

compared with the end of July 2018, and up 12 percent 

compared with June. Stocks of boneless beef were 13 percent 

higher monthly and down 6 percent yearly, while beef cuts 

were up 6 percent month-over-month and down 12 percent 

year-over-year. Veal stocks in freezers added 11 percent from

the prior month and were down 74 percent yearly.

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) fell $3 to $109 per 

cwt, 2 percent below the August 2018 closing price. However, 

the monthly average beef cutout value added $10 per cwt., to 

$225 per cwt. 8 percent higher than August 2018. The 90 

percent lean boneless beef monthly average price held steady 

at $223 per cwt., going against the typical downward trend and 

ending 5 percent over August 2018. The monthly average price 

for 50 percent lean trim prices added $2 per cwt to $88 per 

cwt, 11 percent above last year. The average prices for hide-off 

veal carcasses rose $1 per cwt. To $308, up 1 percent from last 

year.

International Trade

Compared to 2018, July 2019 beef and veal exports (including 

variety meats) were up 1 percent to 118 thousand MT while 

the export value was down slightly at $720 million. The export 

volume and value were both down less than 1 percent from 

June. Total exports for 2019 are 2 percent lower in value and 

slightly lower in volume compared to 2018. In July, South 

Korea, Japan and Mexico were our largest export markets.

Year-over-year beef import volumes for July were down 8

percent to 96 thousand MT and were 3 percent lower in value 

at $545 million. Beef import volume added 1 percent in July

and value was up 2 percent. Year-to-date beef imports are 2 

percent higher relative to 2018, with value up 5 percent. 

Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Brazil were the 

largest importers of beef to the U.S. in July 2019.
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 2.2 billion pounds, up 11 from 

2018, and up 4 percent from June. Hog slaughter totaled 10.6

million head, up 10 percent from July 2018 and up 6 percent 

monthly. The average live weight was up 3 pounds from last 

year and down 5 pounds from last month at 280. Pork 

production through July 2019 is up 5 percent from the same 

period in 2018. 

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

down 3 percent from June but up 9 percent from last year. 

Ham inventories increased 2 percent month-over-month and 3

percent year-over-year with stocks of bone-in hams up 13

percent monthly and 2 percent yearly. Belly inventories were 

down 7 percent monthly but up 37 percent from last year. 

Total loin stocks lost 1 percent for the month with a 74 percent 

rise in loins in storage. Pork rib stocks lost 17 percent between 

June and July with summer grilling demand, while pork 

trimmings in freezers were 18 percent above last year. 

Price

The monthly average negotiated carcass price for barrows and 

gilts in August declined $2 per/lb. to $70 per cwt., down 42

percent from last year. Slaughter was up 8 percent for the 

month. The pork cutout value added $7 in August to a monthly 

average of $83 per cwt., up 21 percent from 2018. The monthly 

average price for trimmed, bone-in hams, 23-27 pounds held 

steady at $65 per cwt., up 15 percent from last year. Prices for 

picnic meat combos, cushion out, dropped $17 to close the 

month at $79 per cwt., 30 percent above 2018. The monthly 

average price for 72 percent lean pork trimmings lost $8 per 

cwt. to end the month at $66 per cwt, 35 percent higher than 

in August 2018. Pork belly primal values jumped $38 per lb. to 

$148 per cwt., up 67 percent from August 2018. 

International Trade

Pork exports (including variety meats) in July 2019 were up 10 

percent from the previous month at 228 thousand metric tons, 

and up 10 percent in value at $595 million. Compared to last 

year, exports were 33 higher in volume and 37 percent higher 

in value. The year-to-date volume of pork exports was up 2

percent and the value down 1 percent. Japan was the largest 

export destination for pork in July and in total volume for the 

year followed by Mexico and China. Compared to last year, July

pork imports were 9 percent lower in volume at 35 thousand 

MT, and down 9 percent in value to $127 million. Import 

volume and value were up from June by 9 and 8 percent, 

respectively. Total imports for 2019 to date are down 12

percent in volume and 10 percent in value. Canada remains the 

single largest source of pork imports to the U.S. with Poland a 

distant second and Italy rounding out the top three importers 

of pork.

LAMB

Production

July lamb and mutton production, at 11.9 million pounds, was 

down 2 percent from July 2018 and up 4 percent from June.

Sheep slaughter totaled 188,300 head, up 5 percent from last 

year and 7 percent below June. The average live weight was 

127 pounds, down 7 pounds from June y 2018. Lamb and 

mutton production for the year so far is up slightly year-overyear. Lamb stocks in cold storage added 8 percent on a monthly 

basis in July and were up 2 percent from a year ago.

Price

The negotiated live slaughter lamb price lost $7, or 5 percent 

from July to $154 per cwt., up 6 percent from last year. Volume 

dropped 15 percent from July but was up 18 percent year-overyear. The average lamb cutout value shed $4 per cwt. in 

August, ending at $393 per cwt, 5 percent above 2018. The 

monthly average price for Leg of lamb, trotter-off fell $7 to 

$381 per cwt., up 3 percent from the August 2018 average. The

average price for lamb shoulder in August gained 13 percent to 

$323 per cwt., 16 percent above August 2018. Trimmed 4x4 

loins lost $7 to close at $521 per cwt., down 6 percent from last 

year while ground 80 percent lamb added $3 per cwt. to close 

up 1 percent from August 2018 at $578 per cwt. 

International Trade

The U.S. lamb exports gained 44 percent in July from the June

volume to 174 metric tons with the value of exports adding 17

percent to $1.11 million. Total lamb export volume for 2019 to 

date is 14 percent lower than 2018, at a value which was 3

percent higher. The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, and Italy

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

of lamb to the U.S. were up 47 percent in July compared to

June at 11.9 thousand metric tons, while the value of imports 

added 26 percent to $95 million. Year-over-year imports were 

up 5 percent in volume but down 3 percent in value. 

Cumulative imports were up 1 percent and the value was up 17

percent. Australia and New Zealand remain the largest sources 

of imported lamb with Chile rounding out the top three 

sources. 

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(USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and 

employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs 

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(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. 

75.0

85.0

95.0

105.0

115.0

125.0

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

cents per pound

Nat'l Whole Broiler Composite Price

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

75.00

85.00

95.00

105.00

115.00

125.00

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

cents per pound

Nat'l Whole Frozen Turkey Tom Price

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

195.00

205.00

215.00

225.00

235.00

245.00

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

Monthly Choice 600-900 lb. Beef Cutout Value

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

60.0

65.0

70.0

75.0

80.0

85.0

90.0

95.0

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

dollars per hundredweight

Monthly Pork Carcass Cutout Value

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg