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 11-21

November 2021

EGGS

Production

At 661 million dozen, September table egg production was 

unchanged in both monthly and yearly terms. At 200 million 

dozen, shell eggs broken were up 1 percent monthly and up 8

percent yearly. Table egg layers-on-hand were up 1 percent in 

September at 322 million, unchanged from the 2020 level. Eggtype hatching-egg layers-on-hand were up 2 percent monthly 

and down 7 percent yearly to 2.9 million. Production of eggtype hatching eggs was down 4 percent monthly to 5.9 million 

dozen, down 12 percent from September 2020. 

Pullet additions (of both broiler- and egg-type layers) rose in 

September to 27.3 million, a 2 percent increase from August 

and 1 percent above the September 2020 average. Broiler-type 

hatching egg layers-on-hand on the first of the September were 

again down 0.4 percent monthly at 61.9 million. Broiler-type 

hatching egg production was down 3 percent in September to 

97.7 million dozen, up 3 percent from its 2020 level. 

Price

Egg prices fell seasonally in October leading into the expected 

November high season. The New York shell egg price fell 19 

percent monthly to $1.06 per dozen, down 11 percent from 

October 2021. The monthly National Index price fell 21 percent 

monthly to $0.61 per dozen, down 19 percent from previous 

year’s price. The Central States Breaking Stock price fell 5 

percent to $0.60 per dozen, also down 19 percent from 2020.

International Trade

U.S. shell egg exports rose 9 percent monthly in volume terms 

in September to 19.6 million dozen values at $19.2 million, up 

22 percent compared to the 2020 level. In value terms, exports 

rose 12 percent monthly and 106 percent yearly. Egg product 

exports increase 9 percent in volume terms to 3.2 thousand MTs

valued at $12.9 million, up 37 percent compared to 2020. 

Owing to an outbreak of HPAI, exports of eggs to South Korea 

have risen sharply and South Korea now leads all export 

destinations with its share having jumped from basically 

nothing to 44 percent of all exports by volume and 49 percent 

of all exports by value. 

TURKEY

Production

September turkey production rose 3 percent monthly to 4.74 

million pounds, unchanged from the 2020 level. Turkey 

slaughter decreased 2 percent to 18.3 million. As shown in the 

table, historically, the end-of-the-month cold storage typically 

falls, down about 55 to 65 percent over the entire 3-month 

period from August to November. In this period, whole bird 

stocks typically fall 75 to 80 percent and part prices by 30 

percent as packers shift labor to service the whole bird market. 

Total stocks of whole birds are down 5 percent from 2020 levels, 

but this figure embeds a 19 percent reduction in stocks of 

smaller hens that are more marketable for family gatherings. At 

41 million pounds, stocks of turkey breasts are extremely tight, 

being 51 percent below the 2020 level. Stocks of legs are up 30 

percent on 2020 levels, but still below the historical three-year 

average. Mechanically deboned meat and other turkey meat 

stocks are 11-12 percent below 2020 levels. Future indicators 

for turkey signaled modest increases in production. Poult 

placements fell 11 percent monthly to 19.3 million but are up 1

percent yearly. Poults hatched fell 7 percent from monthly to 

21.2 million and are down 3 percent yearly. At 27.1 million, eggs 

in incubators were 6 percent above September levels.

Price

Turkey prices continue to extend 2021 price gains. The Figure 

shows that the fresh breast prices at $3.45 per pound rose an 

additional 8 percent in October, 92 percent of the 2020 level, 

having more than doubled since May of this year. At $1.08, 

drumstick prices crept up 2 percent monthly, remain up 49 

percent from 2020. Thigh meat prices were unchanged and 

remain up 29% from 2020. Entering the Thanksgiving season, 

frozen whole toms prices rose 8 percent to $1.36 per pound.

And frozen whole frozen hens rose 3 percent to $1.32 per 

pound. The fresh tom prices rose 2 percent monthly to $1.50

per pound, up 19 percent yearly. Drums prices edged up were

2 percent to $1.08 and the thigh meat price was unchanged at 

$2.02 per pound. Annually, those prices were up 50 and 30 

percent respectively. 

International Trade

Turkey exports increased 1 percent in volume to 20.7 thousand 

MTs valued at $60.6 million, a 4 percent decrease yearly.
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 (RTC) basis 

rose 1 percent monthly in September to 3.9 billion pounds, a 1 

percent increase from the 2020 level. Broiler slaughter fell 1

percent monthly to 794 million head, unchanged from the 

September 2020 level.

Broiler chicks placed fell 2 percent in October to 766 million, 

down 3 percent from 2020. Broiler eggs set was unchanged at 

993 million, up 1 percent yearly. Compared to 2020, the most 

recent 4-week average has broiler chicks placed up 0.6 percent

and egg set up 5 percent. The continued disparity between egg 

set and chicks placed trends reflects the persistence of reduced 

hatchability broiler egg through most of 2021. 

Total stocks of chicken (including paws) in cold storage at the 

end of August rose 3 percent monthly to 737 million pounds, 

down 17 percent from its 2020 level. Stocks of whole broilers 

rose 16 percent monthly but remain down 35 percent from 

2020. Stocks of lightly processed cuts again saw monthly 

increases, with bone-in thighs, drums, and leg quarters 

increases 4, 8, and 10 percent respectively. Cuts requiring more 

processing again saw stock declines, with breasts falling 2 

percent and boneless, skinless thighs falling 6 percent. Stocks 

of legs fell 13 percent while wings rose 17 percent.

Price

The National Composite Whole Body broiler price fell 4 percent 

monthly to $1.02 per pound, up 51 percent from the 2020 level. 

The boneless, skinless breast price fell 11 percent monthly to 

$1.87 per pound, up 110 percent yearly. The bone-in breast 

price has remained unchanged at $1.17 per pound for 3 months

but still up 14 percent from 2020. Boneless, skinless thigh prices 

fell 3 percent monthly to $1.99 per pound, down 210 percent 

from 2020. Bone-in, skin-on thigh prices fell 17 percent to $0.60

per pound, still down 88 percent yearly. Tenderloin prices fell 

10 percent to a $2.71 per pound, up 78 percent yearly. Wing 

prices fell 6 percent to $2.94 per pound, still up 35 percent from 

2020. Leg quarters fell 6 percent monthly to $0.39 per pound, 

58 percent above its October 2020 level. Drumsticks prices 4 

percent monthly to $0.44 per pound, 12 percent below the 

October 2020 level. 

International Trade

In volume terms, September chicken exports fell 9 percent in 

value to 270.9 thousand MT valued at $312 million, a 3 percent 

yearly decrease. Mexico, Cuba, China, Angola, and Taiwan led 

export destinations with volume shares of 23, 7, 5, 5, and 4 

respectively.

BEEF/VEAL

Production

September 2021 beef production slipped 2 percent from 2020

and 3 percent from August at 2.3 billion pounds. Cattle 

slaughter was 2.79 million head, lower by 1 percent monthly 

and 3 percent yearly. Average live weight fell 14 pounds from 

2020 but gained 11 pounds from August at 1,365 pounds. 

September veal production totaled 4.4 million pounds, up 2

percent from last month but down 10 percent year-over-year. 

Calf slaughter equaled 34,100 head, 5 percent above 2020 but 

2 percent lower monthly. On average, live calf weights came in

37 pounds lower than 2020 but 10 more pounds than August at 

224 pounds. January to September 2021 cumulative beef 

production was 4 percent above last year, while year-to-date 

veal production was down 20 percent from 2020.

Total beef in cold storage at the end of September declined 6

percent from September 2020 but grew 5 percent from August.

Boneless beef was down 7 percent yearly but up 4 percent 

monthly. Beef cuts in freezers rose 1 percent year-over-year

and 15 percent month-over-month. Veal inventories dropped

44 percent from 2020 but increased 14 percent monthly.

Price

In October, live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) inched up

$1 to $125 per cwt, 17 percent higher yearly. The beef cutout 

value lost $34 for a monthly average of $283 per cwt, down 11

percent monthly but 34 percent higher yearly. The 90 percent

lean boneless beef value returned $2 to $276 per cwt, down 1

percent monthly but up 40 percent from 2020. The average 50

percent lean trim price fell $42 to $97, 30 percent lower

monthly but 124 percent higher yearly. Seen in the graph below, 

ribeye cuts, popular for the holidays, have remained up through 

the past year and a half despite the vagaries of the pandemic. 

Hide-off veal carcass values gained $9 to $367 per cwt in 

October, up 3 percent from September and 28 percent above

last year.

International Trade

September 2021 beef and veal exports (including variety meats) 

totaled 124 thousand MT, up 20 percent yearly but down 7

percent monthly. Export value increased 59 percent from last 

year but fell 8 percent from last month at $954 million. Beef and 

veal total exports for the year to date are up 18 percent in 

volume and 36 percent in value. South Korea purchased 24 

percent of U.S. beef exports, while Japan took 23 percent of 

imports (20 percent of the value). China imported 18 percent of 

ours exports, and both Mexico and Canada took 8 percent. Beef 

and veal import volumes for September fell 4 percent from the 

year before and 14 percent monthly to 102 thousand MT. The 

import value of beef to the U.S. was $795 million, down 9

percent monthly but up 29 percent yearly. The year-to-date 

total of beef and veal imports was 6 percent lower in volume 

but 12 percent higher in value. The top five countries that 

imported beef to the U.S—Canada, Mexico, Australia, Brazil and 

New Zealand—sent 87 percent of beef volume and 89 percent 

of the value.
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

September pork production fell 3 percent from last year but 

rose 2 percent monthly to total 2.27 billion pounds. Total hogs 

slaughtered increased 1 percent in August but fell 2 percent 

from 2020 to 10.8 million head. Live hog weight rose 3 pounds

monthly but slipped 2 pounds yearly at 283 pounds. 2021 yearto-date pork production remained 1 percent below last year.

All pork in cold storage in September was up 3 percent from 

August and up slightly year-over-year. Total hams in cold 

storage increased 4 percent monthly and 33 percent for the 

year. Bone-in ham supplies added 8 percent monthly and 71

percent yearly, while boneless hams fell slightly from August

and gained 5 percent from last year. Belly inventories dropped

26 percent over the month and fell 48 percent from September

2020. Total loin stocks added 2 percent compared to August but 

fell 27 percent year-over-year. Pork trimmings in freezers rose

11 percent and 10 percent, respectively for the year and the 

month. 

Price

In October the negotiated carcass price for barrows and gilts 

continued its fall from the June high, losing $16 to $67 per cwt, 

19 percent lower monthly, but up 7 percent yearly. The pork 

cutout value slipped $6 to $102 per cwt, 6 percent lower for the

month but up 8 percent yearly. Boneless center cut loin prices,

dropped $21 to $136 per cwt, 14 percent lower for the month

but up 9 percent from last October. Trimmed, selected ham

prices (23-27 pounds), shown in the graph below, lost $8 for an 

average of $52 per cwt, 13 percent below September and down 

19 percent yearly. The 72 percent lean pork trimmings price

again lost $30, falling to $80 per cwt, 27 percent lower monthly

and 7 percent lower than 2020. Picnic meat combo, cushion out

prices shed $22 to $92 per cwt, 19 percent below month before

and down 6 percent yearly. Lower pork belly stocks supported

primal values adding $9 in October to $179 per cwt, up 5

percent monthly and 15 percent yearly. 

International Trade

Exports of pork were down 1 percent from last September at 

215 thousand metric tons, but up 8 percent in value at $583

million. Compared to August, export volume was down 3

percent while value was down 5 percent. For the year so far, 

pork export volume remains up 1 percent and value up 9

percent from 2020. 39 percent of our pork exports were sent to 

Mexico (24 percent of the value) while Japan purchased 16

percent of our pork exports (25 percent of value). Canada took 

11 percent of the monthly exports at 19 percent of the value. 

Year-over-year, September pork imports were up 51 percent in 

volume at 49 thousand MT and up 55 percent in value at $199

million. Compared to August import volume was up 1 percent 

but value was down 4 percent. Cumulative yearly imports 

through September were up 26 percent in volume and 41

percent in value. 66 percent of pork imports came from Canada, 

with 9 percent from Mexico and 7 percent from Denmark.

LAMB

Production

September lamb and mutton production declined 2 percent 

yearly to 10.7 million pounds but gained 4 percent from August.

Sheep slaughter totaled 184,200 head, down slightly from 2020 

and 4 percent lower monthly. The average live weight was 

unchanged from last month but 2 pounds below last year at 116

pounds. January to September 2021 lamb production was down 

2 percent yearly. Lamb stocks in cold storage were down 24

percent from 2020 and up 6 percent from August.

Price

The October negotiated live slaughter lamb price lost $7 to $240

per cwt, 3 percent lower monthly, but up 42 percent from 2020. 

The lamb cutout value added $4 in October to $693 per cwt, up

1 percent monthly and 56 percent yearly. Leg of lamb, trotteroff (IMPS 233A) gained $7 to $612 per cwt, also up 1 percent

monthly rise and 60 percent higher yearly. The lamb shoulder 

(IMPS 207) price fell $9, or 2 percent month-over-month but 

remained 52 percent higher yearly at $539 per cwt. Ground 

lamb (IMPS 296) rose $8 to an average of $800 per cwt, up 1

percent from September and 36 percent above 2020. 

International Trade

Lamb export volume in September reverted to its downward 

pattern for the year as a whole, dropping by half to 97 metric 

tons with value down 9 percent at $785,000. Export volume was 

down 91 percent from 2020 and value down 50 percent.

January to September cumulative exports were 85 percent 

below 2020 with value down 50 percent. The top destinations 

for U.S. lamb exports were the Turks and Caicos Islands (19

percent of the volume but 14 percent of value) and the 

Dominican Republic (16 percent of volume and 29 percent of 

value). Imports of lamb to the U.S. increased 63 percent

compared to September 2020, with volume up 99 percent. On 

a monthly basis, import volume was up 7 percent with value 

slightly higher. To date, 2021 imports are 12 percent higher 

yearly, with value up 33 percent. 79 percent of lamb imports 

were from Australia and 19 percent from New Zealand.

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. 

75

125

175

225

275

325

375

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

cents per pound

Nat'l Tom Turkey Fresh B/S Breast Price

2021 2020 2017-2019 avg

30

45

60

75

90

105

120

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

million pounds

Turkey Breasts in Cold Storage

2021 2020 2017-2019 avg

500

700

900

1,100

1,300

1,500

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

dollarars per cwt.

Rib, ribeye, bnls, light (112A 3)

2021 2020 2017-2019 avg

20

35

50

65

80

95

110

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

dollars per cwt.

Trimmed Selected Ham, 23-27 lbs. 

2021 2020 2017-2019 avg