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 03-19

March 2019

EGGS

Production

Table egg production in January was 686 million dozen, 5 

percent above last January. Broiler-type hatching egg 

production in January was up 3 percent compared to 2018. 

There were 1.09 billion broiler-type hatching eggs produced. 

Egg-type hatching egg production was 90 million eggs, up 12 

percent from last year. Shell eggs broken totaled 211 million 

dozen during January, up 8 percent from January a year ago, 

and 3 percent above the 206 million dozen broken in 

December.

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

February 1 was up 3 percent compared to 2018 at 331 million 

birds. Hatching egg layers for the table egg flock were up 2 

percent compared with last year at 62 million birds, and the 

broiler-type hatching egg flock was up 2 percent at 59 million 

birds. The number of pullets added during January for all types 

of egg production was up 8 percent year-over-year.

Price

Egg prices fell sharply in February, dropping 33 cents to close 

the month at 101 cents for on dozen Large Grade A eggs in the 

New York wholesale market, 43 percent below 2018. Breaking 

stock prices also plunged in February shedding 34 cents/dozen 

and ending the month at 101 cents/dozen for an equivalent 

year over year loss of 43 percent

International Trade

Total U.S. shell egg exports in January totaled 14.1 million 

dozen with a value of $36 million. This was a decline in volume 

of 11 percent and a fall of 12 percent in value compared with 

December. It is also a loss in volume of 13 percent and a loss 

of 17 percent in value compared with January 2017.

Egg products exports in January were valued at $10.2 million, 

12 percent below December and down 17 percent from last 

January. Mexico, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong and New Zealand 

were the five largest importers of U.S. eggs and egg products 

in January.

TURKEY

Production

The United States produced 511 million pounds of turkey on a 

on a ready-to-cook basis in January. Daily production was up 3 

percent compared with December and down 2 percent 

compared with last January. Average dressed weights were up 

a little less than 1 percent for the month and 2 percent for the 

year. Eggs in incubators on the first of February were down 1 

percent from last year, and poult placements in the month of 

January were down 8 percent year-over-year.

As of January 31, total turkey stocks in cold storage were 4 

percent above the January 2018 level. Compared to 

December, total turkey stocks were up 29 percent. Whole 

frozen birds were up 5 percent yearly, with hens up 20 percent 

and toms down 8 percent. White meat stocks were up 8 

percent year-over-year, while dark meat stocks were up 26 

percent.

Price

Whole frozen hens added 2 cents in February 85 cents/lb. while 

whole frozen toms fell 1 cent to 82 cents/lb., with gains of 9 

and 3 percent, respectively, from last year. Boneless/skinless 

(B/S) breast prices lost 11 cents from January, falling to 198 

cents/lb. a gain of 28 percent over last year. B/S thigh meat 

decreased 3 cents to 123 cents/lb., 5 percent below 2018 and 

tom drumsticks closed at 66 cents/lb., a loss in February of 2 

cents, and 5 percent lower than last year.

International Trade

In January, the United States exported 21 thousand metric tons 

of turkey products with a value of $45 million. In volume, this 

was 7 percent below December and in value it was down 8 

percent lower. Compared with January 2018, exports were 

down 8 percent in volume and 7 percent in value. The top five 

destinations for exports of turkey in January were Mexico, 

Japan, Canada, Chile and Benin.

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

Chicken production totaled 3.71 billion pounds on a on a readyto-cook basis in January. Daily production was down 5 percent 

from December and 2 percent from January 201. Dressed 

weights in January were 1 percent higher than in December 

and down slightly year-over-year. For the four weeks ending 

March 2, eggs set were up 2 percent and chicks placed were up 

1 percent compared with the same period last year.

Total stocks of chicken in cold storage on January 31 were 

down 3 percent from the end of December and down 3 percent 

from January 2018. The year-over-year decline was driven by 

chicken breasts, down 6 percent yearly (and down slightly 

monthly), and leg quarters, down 35 year-over year (7 percent 

monthly). Whole broilers were 35 percent above last January’s 

levels, but down 2 percent from the prior month. Drumstick 

stocks were up 43 percent compared with last January and 

down 1 percent compared with December, with thigh meat up 

16 and 25 percent, respectively. Wing inventories were up 5 

percent from last year and down 22 percent on the year.

Price

Whole broiler prices continued their descent through 

February, losing 4 cents/lb. to close the month at 88 cents per

pound, 4 percent below 2018’s closing price. Boneless/skinless 

(B/S) breast prices began the month at 104 cents/lb., added 4 

cents through most of the month, only to return to the starting 

price, down 13 percent from last year. Leg quarter prices 

remained steady through most of the month, but in the last 

week of February the price level jumped 3 cents to 34 cents/lb.

9 percent higher than in 2018. B/S thigh meat edged up 1 cent 

to 117 cents/lb., up 17 percent from 2018, with drumsticks 

remaining steady at 33 cents/lb., a gain of 9 percent from last 

year. Wing prices closed the month down 17 cents at 177 cents 

per pound, a yearly loss of 18 percent.

International Trade

January exports of chicken and chicken products totaled 263 

thousand metric tons valued at $232 million. This is a slight 

decrease in volume and but a 2 percent increase in value 

compared with December. Year-over-year, this represents a 6 

percent increase in volume but a decrease of 6 percent in value 

compared with last year. In January, our five largest export 

destinations for chicken were Mexico, Canada, Cuba, Taiwan 

and Hong Kong.

BEEF/VEAL

Production

January 2018 beef production added 1 percent to last year’s 

production for a total of 2.31 billion pounds and added 9 

percent to the output in December 2018. Cattle slaughter 

numbers totaled 2.83 million head, up 3 percent from last 

January and 10 percent to the prior month. The average live 

weight was down 13 pounds from last year, at 1,363 pounds. 

Veal production in January 2019 was 6.6 million pounds, 

unchanged on a yearly basis but up 2 percent monthly. Calf 

slaughter volume equaled 53,800 head, 10 percent more than 

January 2018 and slightly higher than December. The average 

live weight was 22 pounds lower than last year, at 213 pounds.

Total beef in cold storage was up 3 percent compared with the 

end of December 2018, and up 2 percent compared with last 

January. Stocks of boneless beef were up 3 percent on the 

month and 8 percent on the year, while beef cuts were down 

2 percent month-over-month and lost 24 percent year-overyear. Veal stocks in freezers were up 5 percent on a monthly 

basis but down 57 percent yearly.

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) saw slow but steady 

growth in February, ending up $4 to $127 per cwt, 3 percent 

higher than the February 2018 closing price. The beef cutout 

value inched up to close $3 higher at $221 per cwt, 1 percent 

below last year. The 90 percent lean boneless beef price gained 

$5 through the month, closing at $212 per cwt, 2 percent 

below 2018. 50 percent lean trim prices added $13 per cwt to 

$71 per cwt, 17 percent below last year. Packer-owned veal 

carcasses fell $1 in February to $305 per cwt, while non-packer 

owned veal carcasses remained at $305 per cwt, with carcass 

values up 2 percent and down 2 percent, respectively from 

2018. The veal cutout average remained at $395 per cwt, 

down 6 percent from last year.

International Trade

Compared to 2018, January 2019 beef and veal exports 

(including variety meats) were down 1 percent to 105 

thousand MT while the export value increased 3 percent to 

$624 million. The export volume and value were down by 7 and 

8 percent, respectively, from December. Japan, South Korea 

and Mexico were our largest export markets in January 2018. 

Year-over-year beef import volumes for January were up 3 

percent to 91 thousand MT and were up 4 percent in value to 

$505 million. Compared to December, beef import volume and 

value were both 20 percent higher. Canada, Australia and 

Mexico were the largest importers of beef to the U.S. in the 

first month of 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 was at a record high level for the month of 

January at 2.37 billion pounds, 4 percent above 2018 and 6 

percent higher than December. Hog slaughter totaled 11 

million head, 3 percent above January 2018 and 5 percent 

higher monthly. The average live weight was up 2 pounds from 

last year, at 288 pounds.

January 2019 stocks of pork in cold storage were up 11 percent 

compared with December but down 3 percent compared with 

last January. Ham inventories were up 54 percent month-overmonth and down 5 percent year-over-year. Belly inventories 

were up 27 percent for the month and 23 percent for the year. 

Rib stocks rose 2 percent compared with December and 11 

percent compared with last January. Pork trimmings in 

freezers were own 3 percent on both a monthly and yearly 

basis.

Price

The negotiated carcass price for barrows and gilts fell $5 in 

February 2019, ending at $47 per cwt, 26 percent below 

February 2018. The pork cutout value lost $7 through February, 

ending the month at $71 per cwt, 23 percent below 2018. 

Trimmed, bone-in hams, 23-27 pounds prices lost $6 in 

February at $46 per cwt, 29 percent below the 2018 price. 

Picnic meat combos, cushion out, fell $26 through the month, 

ending at $49 per cwt, 37 percent more than the year before. 

Pork trim, 72 percent lean steadily lost a total of $15, closing 

the month at $43 per cwt, 31 percent lower than 2019. Pork 

belly primal values were down 18 percent compared to 2018, 

with a loss of $13 to close at $102 per cwt.

International Trade

Pork exports (including variety meats) in January 2019 were 

down 1 percent from 2018 to 19 thousand MT, and the value 

was down 10 percent at $464 million. Pork export volume fell 

4 percent from December, with value falling 7 percent 

monthly. The largest overseas markets for U.S. pork were 

Japan, Mexico and Canada. Compared to last year, January 

pork imports were 9 percent lower in volume at 38 thousand 

MT, and down 9 percent in value at $130 million. Import 

volume increased 4 percent from December and value rose 3 

percent. The countries of Canada, Poland and Italy imported 

the largest volumes of pork to the U.S. in January 2019.

LAMB

Production

January lamb and mutton production, at 12.5 million pounds, 

was 2 percent above the January 2018 production but 5 

percent below the December 2018 production. Sheep 

slaughter totaled 186,800 head, 6 percent above last year but 

down 7 percent monthly. The average live weight was 134 

pounds, down 8 pounds from January a year ago. Lamb stocks 

were up 43 percent from the prior year and up 5 percent from 

the month before.

Price

The negotiated live slaughter lamb price added $10, ending the 

month at $141 per cwt, 2 percent above the price in 2018. The 

lamb cutout shed $9 over the month, falling to $372 per cwt, 

10 percent higher than in 2018. Leg of lamb, trotter-off prices 

lost $2 to close at $361 per cwt, 1 percent above the February 

2018 price. Boneless lamb shoulder prices ended up $25 per 

cwt at $549, up 2 percent from last year.

International Trade

January 2019 lamb exports nearly doubled (up 91 percent) 

percent from the 2018 level to 246 MT, rising 49 percent in 

value to $1.2 million. Compared to December, export volume 

was 79 percent higher and the export value added 14 percent. 

The Bahamas, United Arab Emirates and Trinidad/Tobago were 

the largest export markets for U.S. lamb and mutton in 

January. Lamb imports in the first month of 2019 were up 12 

percent from 2018 at 12 thousand MT, and the value of 

imports was up 41 percent to $110 million. Compared to 

December 2018, the import volume and value increased 37 

and 32 percent, respectively. Canada, Australia and Mexico 

were the largest sources of lamb and mutton imports to the US 

in January 2019.

Questions, comments, or suggestions for articles? 

Contact Sherry.Wise@ams.usda.gov.

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. 

120

130

140

150

160

170

180

190

200

210

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

cents per lb.

Northeast Chicken Wing Prices

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

50

100

150

200

250

300

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

cents per dozen

Weekly New York Shell Egg Prices

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

350

390

430

470

510

550

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

dollars per cwt.

Brisket, point/off, bnls (120A 3)

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

40

50

60

70

80

90

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

dollars per cwt

Wkly Bnls Pork Trimmings, Fresh 72% Combo

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg
The love of chicken wings is not limited by sport and 

demand carries into the annual NCAA Basketball 

Tournament, aka March Madness. During the 3-week 

event, from the first tip-off to the final buzzer, fans will 

consume an estimated 2.3 billion wing portions, 

about 14 wing portions per tournament viewer. 

Sports fans love their chicken wings, one of the most 

popular finger foods for major sporting events. 

During the recent Super Bowl, the most significant 

wing demand event of the year, fans consumed an 

estimated 1.4 billion wing portions, about 

14 wing portions per game viewer.

Demand for chicken wings rises in the fall as tailgating kicks off, peaks at Super 

Bowl time, and rises once again during the NCAA basketball tournament.

Super Bowl

March Madness Tailgating

The term “March Madness" 

was coined by Henry V. Porter 

in an essay that appeared in 

the Illinois High School 

Athlete in March of 1939.

Basketball Ides of March

“For basketball beckons, 

"Come!" A sharp-shooting 

mite is king tonight. The 

Madness of March is 

running.”

The first NCAA men’s 

basketball tournament was 

played in March 1939 (8 

teams). The U. of Oregon 

defeated Ohio State 46-33.

In 2018, the U.S. produced about 

15.4 billion whole chicken wings from 

8.8 billion young chickens.

In 1985, the NCAA 

tournament expanded to 64-

teams, its current format. 

Before this, wing demand 

would drop off after the 

Super Bowl. Following a 

Supreme Court ruling limiting

NCAA control of television 

rights, a rapid expansion of 

televised college games

occurred, supported by the 

emerging cable television 

industry. To feed this 

increased game viewership, 

entrepreneurs moved to 

translate Super Bowl wing 

demand to the college 

basketball tournament 

and March Madness wing 

demand was born.

Source: USDA AMS L&P Agricultural Analytics; NASS