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 12-20 December 2020

EGGS

Production

As shown in the figure, table egg production rose 6 percent 

monthly to 687 million dozen, down 3 percent from October 

2019, and has tracked 2 to 6 percent below 2019 levels since 

the March onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Shell eggs broken 

also rose 5 percent monthly in October to 193 million dozen 

while still being 13 percent below the 2019 level. Table egg 

layers on hand at the first of November rose 1 percent monthly 

to 324 million, 4 percent below the 2019 volume. Pullet 

additions fell 1 percent monthly to 27 million, the same level 

as October 2019. Production of egg type hatching eggs fell 2 

percent to 6.7 million, down 10 percent from the year before. 

Production of broiler type hatching eggs rose 3 percent 

monthly to 298 million, up 5 percent from 2019. October 

production of broiler type hatching eggs rose 3 percent from 

the month before to 97.9 million dozen, 5 percent higher

yearly. The inventory of broiler type hatching egg layers was 

unchanged monthly at 60.5 million, up 3 percent yearly.

Price

Egg prices fell across the board in November. The New York egg 

price fell 3 percent monthly to $1.16 per dozen, down 25 

percent from 2019 level. The monthly national index price lost

11 percent monthly to $0.67 per dozen, down 29 percent from 

November 2019. The central states breaking stock price fell 5 

percent to $0.70 per dozen, down 10 percent from 2019. 

International Trade

The typical November pullback in egg exports arrived early in 

2020. In volume terms, U.S. table shell egg exports fell 24 

percent monthly in October to 10.2 million dozen, a 42 percent 

fall from 2019. In value terms, exports fell only 1.4 percent 

monthly to $9.2 million, 24 percent below the 2020 value. At 

2.7 thousand metric tons (MT), the egg products exports rose 

16 percent monthly but were still 17 percent below 2019. Egg 

product values were up 5 percent monthly to $10.8 million but 

down 10 percent from the previous year. 

TURKEY

Production

October Turkey production rose 10 percent monthly to 522 

million pounds but was down 5 percent from the October 2019 

volume. Total turkey in cold storage dropped 24 percent on a 

monthly basis to 377 million pounds, down 4 percent yearly. 

Compared to October 2019, whole hens and toms in cold 

storage were down 14 percent and 5 percent, respectively. 

Breasts in cold storage rose 7 percent while legs and 

mechanically deboned meat fell a respective 28 percent and 1 

percent. Indicators of future turkey production increased 

monthly, in line with seasonal trends but still well-below 2019 

levels. As shown in the figure on page 4, while up 5 percent 

monthly in October, poult placements are 8 percent below the 

October 2019 level, and have tracked lower than 2019 levels 

for most of the year. Turkey eggs in incubators rose 4 percent 

monthly but are 8 percent below 2019. Poults hatched rose 7 

percent monthly but are 7 percent below the October 2019

volume. 

Price

Whole frozen turkey prices for both toms and hens rose 2 

percent to $1.13-1.14 on a monthly basis, a 15 percent increase 

over November 2019 prices. Fresh toms and hens were 

unchanged monthly at $1.32, a 12 percent increase over last

year. Turkey parts prices showed mixed movements through 

November and remain well below 2019 prices. The boneless, 

skinless breast price fell 5 percent from October to $1.71 per 

pound, down 16 percent yearly. The tom drumstick price rose 

10 percent monthly to $0.62 pound but was down 15 percent 

yearly. The thigh meat price was steady with October’s prices, 

at $1.18 per pound, but fell 24 percent yearly.

International Trade

Turkey exports showed seasonal volume and price gains. In 

volume terms, exports of turkey rose 33 percent to 28.7 

thousand MT, 4 percent above October 2019. In value terms, 

exports rose 38 percent to $63.2 million, down 11 percent from 

2019. Mexico, Guatemala, and China led export destination 

purchasing 59 percent, 5 percent and 4 percent, respectively,

of U.S. exported turkey by value.
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 chickens on a ready-to-cook basis was 

down 1 percent monthly at 3.84 billion pounds, a 6 percent 

reduction year-over-year. Broiler egg sets rose 1 percent in 

November to 992 million, 1 percent below its previous year's 

level. Broiler chicks placed lost 3 percent monthly to 765 

million and fell 2 percent yearly. Total stocks of chicken in cold 

storage at the end of October increased 3 percent monthly to 

912 million pounds, down 4 percent from 2019. Major chicken 

parts showed mixed movements. Stocks of whole broilers fell

2 percent monthly but were up 1 percent yearly. Boneless 

thighs in cold storage lost both 11 percent monthly and 35 

percent yearly. Drumstick stocks rose 13 percent from the 

month before but fell 12 percent from 2019. Boneless, skinless 

chicken breast stocks added 11 percent monthly and 28 

percent yearly, while wings in cold storage fell 9 percent 

monthly and 35 percent yearly. Leg quarter supplies were up 1 

percent from September and 5 percent from last October.

Price

The November National Composite Whole Body broiler price 

rose 13 percent monthly to $0.76 per pound but was down 2 

percent from its 2019 level. Boneless, skinless breast prices 

were unchanged from October at $0.90, up 1 percent yearly. 

Bone-in breast prices rose 2 percent to $1.04 per pound, 

unchanged from the November 2019 level. Bone-in thigh 

prices added 2 percent to $0.44 per pound, down 28 percent 

yearly. Tenderloin prices fell 2 percent to $1.49 per pound, up 

17 percent yearly. Dark meat leg quarters increased 1 percent 

monthly to $0.25 per pound, 23 percent lower yearly. Boneless 

skinless thigh prices fell 6 percent monthly to $0.60 per pound, 

46 percent below the previous year's price. Drumstick prices 

were unchanged at $0.39 per pound, up 9 percent from 

November 2019 

International Trade

In volume terms, October chicken exports rose 13 percent in 

volume to 318 thousand MT, up 8 percent from 2019’s level. In 

value terms, exports rose 9 percent in value to $269 million, 

but were down 6 percent yearly. Mexico, China, and Canada 

are shares of U.S. chicken export values were 19 percent, 13 

percent, and 8 percent, respectively. China’s 45 thousand MT 

of chicken imports was 21 percent above its previous high in

May 2020.

BEEF/VEAL

Production

October 2020 beef production totaled 2.47 billion pounds, 1

percent higher than in 2019 and 5 percent above September

2020. Cattle slaughter was 2.95 million head, 1 percent lower 

year-over-year but up 5 percent monthly. The average live 

weight added 25 pounds yearly and 6 pounds from September

to 1,385 pounds. Veal production in October 2020 was 5.3

million pounds, 25 percent lower year-over-year, but 8 percent 

above September. Calf slaughter was 37,100 head, down 33

percent yearly but up 15 percent from the prior month. The 

average live calf weight was up 28 pounds from 2019 but down 

11 pounds monthly at 250 pounds. Total beef production for 

the year to date was slightly below last year, while veal 

production dropped 13 percent. Total beef in cold storage at 

the end of October was up 7 percent compared with October

2019 and up 8 percent from September. Stocks of boneless 

beef were up by the same proportions. Beef cuts in freezers 

were 11 percent higher month-over-month and up 8 percent 

year-over-year. Veal supplies were 7 percent lower than the 

previous month but up 53 percent yearly.

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) increased $2 for an 

average of $109 per cwt in November, 2 percent above

October 2020 but down 6 percent from last November. The 

monthly average beef cutout value jumped $15 per cwt to

$226 per cwt, adding 7 percent monthly while falling 4 percent 

month-over-month. 90% lean boneless gained $3 to $200 per 

cwt, increasing the price 1 percent from October but dropping

16 percent yearly. The November 50% lean trim average 

slipped another $3, falling 7 percent on a monthly basis, and 

52 percent yearly to $40 per cwt. The average price for hideoff veal carcasses again rose $3 to $291 per cwt, up 1 percent 

from October, but down 6 percent from 2019.

International Trade

Compared to 2019, October 2020 beef and veal exports 

(including variety meats) were down slightly at 108 thousand 

MT, while the export value was down 1 percent at $645 million. 

The export volume gained 4 percent on a monthly basis, and

the monthly value was up 8 percent. For the year to date beef 

exports remain down 7 percent from 2019, and the value of 

exports is down 8 percent. In October South Korea, Japan, 

Hong Kong, Mexico and Canada were our top overseas 

markets. South Korea and Japan each purchased 22 percent of 

beef exports, while the remaining top markets purchased 

roughly 10 percent each. Year-over-year beef import volumes 

for October rose 2 percent compared to last year for a total of 

89 thousand MT and were 5 percent higher in value at $547

million. On a monthly basis volume fell 16 percent and value 

fell 12 percent. So far this year 2020 beef imports were up 16

percent in value and 12 percent in volume. Nearly one-third of 

beef imports came from Canada. Australia and Mexico each 

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

October 2020. Roughly 10 percent each came from Brazil and 

New Zealand.
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 October was 2.6 billion pounds, up 11 

percent monthly but down slightly from last year. The number 

of hogs slaughtered was 12 million head, 2 percent below 2019

though up 9 percent from September. Average live hog weight 

rose 6 pounds over both the year and the month before t0 291

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 October were down 4 percent from September and

27 percent below last year. Ham inventories lost 16 percent of

the month-over-month volume and 29 percent year-over-year. 

Stocks of bone-in hams fell 15 percent monthly, with boneless 

hams down 16 percent month-over-month, and down for the 

year, at 31 and 27 percent, respectively. Bellies fell 21 percent 

monthly and 57 percent yearly. Total loin stocks added 2

percent to the supply monthly but were down slightly from

2019. Pork rib stocks rose 13 percent from September but fell 

29 percent year-over-year. Pork trimmings in freezers 

increased 4 percent monthly but lost 8 percent yearly.

Price

The monthly average negotiated carcass price for barrows and 

gilts in November 2020 shed $4 per cwt to $59 per cwt, 5 

percent below October’s average, but 33 percent higher yearly. 

The pork cutout value declined $13 in November, down 14

percent monthly and down 1 percent yearly to $81 per cwt. 

Prices of boneless center cut loin, strap on lost $10 to $114 per 

cwt, down 35 percent from October and 33 percent below

2019. Following seasonal patterns, the price for trimmed, 

selected hams, 23-27 pounds gained $5 month-over-month to 

$70 per cwt, 8 percent higher monthly but down 19 percent

yearly. The 72 percent lean pork trimmings price rose $2 per 

cwt, an increase of 3 percent of its October value and 60

percent below 2019 at $89 per cwt. Prices for picnic meat 

combos, cushion out, fell $6 to a monthly average of $93 per 

cwt, down 5 percent monthly and 3 percent year-over-year. 

Pork belly primal values plummeted $55 between October and 

November to $100 per cwt, losing 36 percent monthly and 14

percent yearly. 

International Trade

Exports of pork (including variety meats) added 8 percent to 

theOctober 2019 volume at 237 thousand metric tons and rose 

11 percent in value to $618 million. Compared to September, 

export volume was up 9 percent and value was up 14 percent. 

Cumulative exports for 2020 so far are up 16 percent in volume 

and up 17 percent in value. Japan, China, Mexico, Canada and 

South Korea were our largest export markets in value, though

the largest volumes were exported to Mexico and China. 

Compared to last year, October pork imports were 3 percent 

higher in volume at 38 thousand MT and increased 10 percent 

in value at $150 million. Import volume added 16 percent from 

September and value was up 17 percent. For the year to date, 

the volume of pork imports was down 9 percent from 2019, 

and the value down 4 percent. Nearly two-thirds of October

pork imports came from Canada. Italy, Mexico, Poland and

Denmark were the next largest importers of pork.

LAMB

Production

October lamb and mutton production was 10.6 million pounds, 

2 percent lower monthly and down 17 percent yearly. Sheep 

slaughter totaled 182,300 head, falling 2 percent monthly and 

11 percent yearly. The average live weight was 1 pound below

last month and 8 pounds below last year at 116 pounds. 

January to October 2020 commercial lamb and mutton 

production fell 8 percent from 2019. Lamb stocks in cold 

storage were down 32 percent from 2019 and 16 percent lower 

on a monthly basis.

Price

Negotiated live slaughter lamb average price for this period 

was $167 per cwt., down 1 percent from October but 10

percent higher than November 2019. The lamb cutout value 

rose $18 on a monthly basis to average $461 per cwt, up 4 

percent monthly and 16 percent yearly. Leg of lamb, trotter-off

(IMPS 233C) gained $16 for an average of $397 per cwt, 4

percent higher both monthly and yearly. The average price for 

lamb shoulder (IMPS 207) in November increased $13 to $367

per cwt, up 4 percent from the month before and up 11

percent from November 2019. Trimmed 4x4 loins (IMPS 232)

rose $25 to $710 per cwt, 4 percent higher than October and 

36 percent above last year. 

International Trade

The U.S. lamb export volume lost 62 percent in October

relative to September, as exports returned to more typical 

levels after three months of highs. Exports remained relatively 

high year-over year, at 426 metric tons, an increase of 186 

percent. The export sales value fell 22 percent from the prior 

month and fell 28 percent relative to 2019 at $0.97 million. For 

the year 2020 so far, lamb exports were 337 percent above the 

2019 volume, but the value of exports was up 6 percent. 

Nearly three-fourths of lamb exports went to Mexico, with

about 10 percent sent to Trinidad and Tobago. Imports of lamb 

to the U.S. decreased 7 percent in October compared to 

September at 7.9 thousand metric tons, while the value of 

imports gained 1 percent to $64 million. Year-over-year 

imports were 3 percent higher in volume but 1 percent lower

in value. Total lamb imports for 2020 so far are up 9 percent 

in volume, but down 12 percent relative to 2019. Nearly threefourths of the October lamb imports were from Australia, onequarter from New Zealand, and a small portion of lamb imports 

coming from Mexico, Uruguay and Chile.

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. 

575

625

675

725

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

thousand dozens

Monthly Table Egg Production

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

2019 2020 2016-2018 avg

650

850

1,050

1,250

1,450

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

dollars per hundred wieght

Trimmed Whole Tenderloin Prices, 189A 4

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

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

dollars per hundredweight

Monthly Pork 23-27# Trmd Ham Price

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg