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 10-20

October 2020

EGGS

Production

Egg production showed continued signs of a slow recovery. 

Table egg production was unchanged monthly to 669 million 

dozen, 3 percent lower than August 2019 level. Similarly, shell 

eggs broken fell 1 percent monthly to 188 million dozen, down 

11 percent from August 2019. Egg-type hatching eggs grew 2 

percent monthly to 7.1 million dozen 3 percent above its 

August 2019 level. Layers on hand remain down, falling 1

percent monthly and 5 percent yearly to 314 million, but

pullets added rose 14 percent monthly to 27.2 million in

preparation for the holiday baking season, a level still 6 percent

below the August 2019 level. Despite August declines in broiler 

egg set and chick placement, broiler hatching-egg production 

was unchanged monthly at 97.4 million, 4 percent above its 

August 2019 level. Broiler hatching-egg layers on hand were 

unchanged at 60.1 million, up 3 percent yearly.

Price

Reflecting tight supplies, egg price increases in September

exceeded typical seasonal gains. The price for a dozen Large 

Grade A eggs in the New York wholesale market rose 13

percent to 102 cents per dozen, the National Index Price rose 

10 percent to 59 cents per dozen, and the Central States 

Breaking Stock price rose 29 percent to 53 cents per dozen. 

Prices were up from September 2019 levels as well, with the 

New York large egg price up 8 percent, the National Index price 

up 32 percent, and the Central States price up 18 percent.

International Trade

U.S. table shell egg exports grew 35 percent by volume to 13.9 

million dozen, up 14 percent yearly. The export value of $9.0 

million was also up 41 percent monthly and 6 percent yearly. 

See graph for detail showing the partial recovery of Canadian 

exports. At 2.3 metric tons, the egg products export volumes 

were down 36 percent monthly and 14 percent yearly. Egg 

product export values were valued at $10.7 million in August, 

down 37 percent monthly but up 53 percent yearly. While 

Japan's 21 percent export share made it the top export 

destination, egg product shipments are highly variable at the 

country-level across time. 

TURKEY

Production

August turkey production fell 6 percent on a monthly basis to 

474 million pounds, a volume 5 percent lower than the August 

2019 level (which had one fewer slaughter days). Even after 

correcting for fewer slaughter days in August 2020, future 

indicators are uniformly down from August 2019. Poults placed 

fell 10 percent on a monthly basis to 20.6 million, 9 percent less 

than last year. Eggs hatched fell 6 percent on a monthly basis 

to 22.2 million, 8 percent less than last year. Turkey eggs in 

incubators (which are unaffected by slaughter days) fell 4

percent to 25.9 million, 3 percent less than August 2019. Total 

turkey in cold storage rose 2 percent on a monthly basis to 531 

million pounds, down 6 percent on a yearly basis. Total turkey 

in cold storage was 13 percent lower on average in the 12 

months ending in August 2020 compared to the previous 12 

months. Reductions in cold storage stock (compared to August 

2019) extended to all parts categories, with whole birds, hens, 

and toms down 11 percent, 14 percent, and 7 percent and 

breast, legs, and mechanically deboned meat down 10 percent, 

10 percent, and 33 percent respectively.

Price

In the 20 months since January 2019, whole turkey prices have 

exceeded their previous year's price. September prices of 

whole fresh hens and toms rose 1 percent on monthly basis to 

$1.25 per lb., 16 percent over the September 2019 level. Whole 

frozen hens and toms were also up 2 percent to $1.12 per lb., 

20 percent over September 2019 levels. In contrast to whole 

birds, prices for turkey parts remain down from their 2019 

highs. Fresh tom boneless, skinless breast and thigh prices 

were unchanged monthly at $1.79 per lb. and $1.16 per lb., 

respectively 13 percent and 25 percent below their September 

2019 levels. Fresh tom drumstick meat rose 1 percent on 

monthly basis to $0.54 per lb., 24 percent lower yearly. 

International Trade

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

value of $43.8 million, a 2 percent volume increase and 4

percent value increase from the previous month. Compared to 

August 2019, volume and value were 17 and 29 percent lower. 

While Mexico remains the top U.S. export market, shipments 

to China and Hong Kong totaled 11 percent of all exports, up 

from 2 percent of all exports in August 2019. 
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 on a ready-to-cook basis were 

unchanged on a monthly basis at 3.7 billion pounds, a 3 percent

reduction on a yearly basis. September broiler egg set is down 

6 percent on monthly basis to 960 million, a figure less than 1

percent down from the September 2019 level. Chicks placed 

were down 3 percent down monthly to 792 million, 1 percent

lower than its September 2019 level. Total stocks of chicken in 

cold storage at the end of August were up 1 percent from the 

previous month at 883 million pounds, down 2 percent from 

August 2019. Stocks of whole broilers were up 9 percent from 

the previous month and up 32 percent yearly. Boneless thighs 

in cold storage were down 6 percent monthly and 27 percent

yearly. Drumstick stocks were up 7 percent yearly and down 18

percent monthly. Cold storage of boneless, skinless breasts was 

unchanged monthly and up 12 percent yearly. Cold stored 

wings were up 1 percent monthly, but down 27 percent yearly. 

Leg quarters were up 1 percent monthly yearly and up 10

percent yearly.

Price

Few chicken-part offerings saw price gains in September. 

Whole broiler prices were down 4 percent monthly at $0.64 per 

lb., down 17 percent from the September 2019. Thigh and leg 

quarter prices are down sharply reflecting the continued 

weakness of the food service industry. Thigh prices fell 18

percent to $0.67 per lb. for boneless, skinless preparations and 

9 percent to $0.39 per lb. for bone-in preparations, both levels 

40-41 percent below 2019 levels. Similarly, leg quarters prices 

fell 11 percent monthly to $0.23 per lb., 42 percent below 2019 

levels. Breast meat and drums showed modest declines with 

boneless breasts falling, on a monthly basis, 14 percent to 

$0.99 per lb., bone-in breasts falling 7 percent to $0.98 per lb., 

and drumsticks falling 7 percent to $0.37 per lb. Monthly price 

gains were modest. Wing prices rose 3 percent to 2.08 per lb., 

up 10 percent yearly, and tenderloin prices rose 4 percent to 

$1.81 per lb., up 15 percent yearly. 

International Trade

August chicken exports rose 5 percent by volume to 279 

thousand metric tons and 2 percent by value at $242 million. 

Volume was 2 percent above its August 2019 value, but value 

was 22 percent lower in the same period. Despite increasing 38

percent in volume terms, exports to China (including Hong 

Kong) remained 35 percent below the high point for the year, 

set in May. By value, Mexico, Canada and China (including 

Hong Kong) are the top three export destinations with shares 

of 16 percent, 13 percent, and 10 percent (See graph for detail 

on share movements).

BEEF/VEAL

Production

August 2020 beef production totaled 2.33 billion pounds, 2

percent lower than in 2019 and down 4 percent from July 2020. 

Cattle slaughter was 2.80 million head, 4 percent lower both

year-over-year and monthly. The average live weight added 27

pounds from last year and 2 pounds from July to 1,365 pounds. 

Veal production in August 2020 was 5.0 million pounds, 17 

percent lower year-over-year, and 14 percent below July. Calf 

slaughter fell to 34,200 head, down 33 percent yearly and 17

percent from July. The average live calf weight gained 47

pounds form 2019 and 9 pounds from July at 253 pounds. Total

beef production for the year to date was 1 percent below last 

year, while veal production lost 10 percent. Total beef in cold 

storage at the end of August slipped 2 percent compared with 

the end of August 2019 but increased 5 percent over July’s 

volume. Stocks of boneless beef added 5 percent on a monthly 

basis but lost 1 percent yearly. Beef cuts were 6 percent lower

month-over-month and 13 percent lower year-over-year. Veal 

stocks in freezers rose 20 percent relative to July and 19

percent yearly.

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) strayed little from

$104 per cwt through September 2020,so there was no change

from August 2020, though the price increased 2 percent from 

September 2019. The monthly average beef cutout value rose 

$3 per cwt, to $219 per cwt, 2 percent higher than August but

down slightly from last September. The 90 percent lean 

boneless beef monthly average price lost $9 per cwt, down 4

percent on a monthly basis and 3 percent yearly at $218 per 

cwt. The September 50 percent lean trim average lost $8

month-over-month (15 percent) to $52 per cwt. On a yearly 

basis the price again dropped 40 percent. The average price for 

hide-off veal carcasses gained $2 for a September average of

$285 per cwt, up slightly on a month-to-month basis, but down 

8 percent yearly.

International Trade

Compared to 2019, August 2020 beef and veal exports 

(including variety meats) were 4 percent below last year at 110

thousand MT, while the export value was down 2 percent at 

$674 million. The export volume rose 2 percent on a monthly 

basis, while the value was up 4 percent. For the year to date 

beef exports remain down 8 percent from 2019, and the value 

of exports is down 9 percent. In August 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 August rose 30

percent compared to last year for a total of 123 thousand MT 

and were 28 percent higher in value at $700 million. On a 

monthly basis both volume and value fell 7 percent. So far this 

year 2020 beef imports were up 17 percent in value and 11

percent in volume. Australia, Canada, Mexico each imported 

about one-fourth of beef sent to the U.S. in August 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

Total pork production in August was 2.34 billion pounds, 1 

percent lower than the prior month but up 4 percent yearly. 

The number of hogs slaughtered was 11.1 million head, down 

slightly from July though up 2 percent from August 2019. 

Average live hog weight rose 3 pounds over 2019 but lost 1

pound monthly for an average of 282 pounds. Total 2020 pork 

production to date is up 3 percent from this period in 2019.

Stocks of all pork in cold storage at the end of August were 2 

percent higher than July but down 23 percent from last year. 

Ham inventories added 8 percent for the month-over-month 

volume but fell 27 percent year-over-year, with stocks of bonein hams up 7 percent monthly, boneless hams up 8 percent

monthly but both bone-in and boneless ham stocks down 27

percent from 2019. Belly inventories fell 33 percent monthly 

and 28 percent yearly. Total loin stocks grew 7 percent from 

the July inventory and but fell 6 percent yearly. Pork rib stocks 

lost 1 percent monthly and 21 percent year-over-year. Pork 

trimmings in freezers fell 9 percent from July and 11 percent 

from last year.

Price

The monthly average negotiated carcass price for barrows and 

gilts in September 2020 jumped $18 per cwt to $57 per cwt, up 

44 percent monthly and 19 percent yearly. The pork cutout 

value regained $13 in September, 18 percent higher monthly 

and up 20 percent yearly at $85 per cwt. Prices of boneless 

center cut loin (strap on) rose $6 to $116 per cwt, 5 percent 

above the August price but down 3 percent from 2019. The 

monthly average price for trimmed, bone-in hams, 23-27 

pounds spiked $19 from the August average to $61 per cwt, 44

percent higher monthly and up 1 percent yearly. Prices for 

picnic meat combos, cushion out, added $2 to a monthly 

average of $91 per cwt, up 2 percent monthly and 28 percent 

yearly. The 72 percent lean pork trimmings price rose $3 per 

cwt, adding 3 percent of its August value, and 46 percent to the 

2019 value, at $84 per cwt. Pork belly primal values increased

$31 on a monthly basis to $138 per cwt, 29 percent higher 

monthly and up 37 percent yearly. 

International Trade

Exports of pork (including variety meats) fell 1 percent from

August 2019 to 213 thousand metric tons and lost 9 percent in 

value to $507 million. Compared to July, export volume was 

down 2 percent and value was 3 percent lower. Cumulative 

exports for 2020 so far remain up 18 percent in volume and up 

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

Korea again are our largest export markets, with roughly half 

the exports sent to Japan, China and Canada. Compared to last 

year, August pork imports were 3 percent lower in volume at 

35 thousand MT and down 2 percent in value at $131 million. 

Import volume was increased 8 percent from July and value 

rose 13 percent lower. For the year to date, the volume of pork 

imports was down 11 percent from 2019, and the value down 

7 percent. In August Canada was the source of more than half 

of pork imports.

LAMB

Production

August lamb and mutton production, at 10.8 million pounds, 

was 15 percent below August 2019 and down 11 percent from

July. Sheep slaughter totaled 174,800 head, 10 percent lower 

than July, dropping 14 percent off last year’s slaughter. The 

average live weight lost 2 pounds compared to last month and 

3 pounds below last year. January to August 2020 commercial 

lamb and mutton production fell 8 percent from 2019. Lamb

stocks in cold storage were down 9 percent from 2019 and 5

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 $424 per cwt, up 1 

percent monthly and 7 percent above last September. Leg of 

lamb, trotter-off (233A) gained $2 for an average of $366 per 

cwt, 1 percent higher monthly but down 5 percent yearly. The 

average price for lamb shoulder (IMPS 207) in September

increased $11 to $340 per cwt, up 3 percent from the month 

before and up 5 percent from September 2019. Trimmed 4x4 

loins spiked $39 to $651 per cwt, 6 percent higher than August

and 26 percent above last year. 

International Trade

The U.S. lamb export volume lost 20 percent in August relative 

to July, and spiked 1,130 percent yearly, with exports at 1,675

metric tons. The monthly export sales value fell 21 percent but 

on a yearly basis rose 99 percent to $1.27 million. For the year 

2020 so far, lamb exports were 352 percent above the 2019 

volume, but the value of exports was up a mere 6 percent. The 

vast majority of lamb exports went to Mexico, with Bermuda

and the Dominican Republic the next highest destinations for 

U.S. lamb and mutton. Imports of lamb to the U.S. increased 

21 percent in August compared to July at 9 thousand metric 

tons, while the value of imports lost 4 percent to $62 million. 

Year-over-year imports were down 5 percent in volume and 

down 24 percent in value. Total lamb imports for 2020 so far 

are up 6 percent in volume, but down 16 percent relative to 

2019. More than three-fourths of August imports were from 

Australia. New Zealand imported 22 percent of the lamb 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. 

40.0

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Monthly Pork 72% Trim Combo Price

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2020 Chicken Exports in Millions of Dollars

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