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 11-20 November 2020

EGGS

Production

Eggs production fell 3 percent in September to 651 million 

dozen, 3 percent lower than September 2020. Similarly, shell 

eggs broken fell 3 percent monthly to 184 million dozen, down 

10 percent from September 2019. In preparation for the 

holiday baking season, layers on hand rose one percent on a 

monthly basis to 321 million dozen but remained 4 percent

below their October 2019 level. Pullets additions fell 4 percent

monthly to 26.6 million, mostly unchanged from its previous 

year's level. Egg-type hatching eggs fell 5 percent monthly to 

6.8 million dozen and egg-type hatching eggs fell 6 percent

monthly to 3.1 million dozen. These levels are 2 percent and 12

percent below their September 2019 levels. Broiler hatchingegg layers on hand were have remained mostly unchanged for 

the last four months, being 60.8 million in October, up 4

percent from the previous year. Broiler hatching-egg 

production was 95.0 million dozen, down 3 percent monthly 

but up 4 percent yearly. 

Price

As supplies fell and demand strengthened seasonally, egg 

prices rose across the board. The October New York wholesale 

price for a dozen Large Grade A eggs rose 17 percent monthly 

to 119 cents/dozen, a 46 percent increase over the 2019 level. 

The National Index Price rose 28 percent monthly to 75 

cents/dozen, a 43 percent yearly increase. The Central States 

Breaking Stock price rose 39 percent to 74 cents/dozen, a 61

percent yearly increase. 

International Trade

U.S. table shell egg exports fell 3.5 percent monthly by volume 

in September to 13.4 million dozen but were up 12 percent

yearly. Export value, in contrast, gained 4 percent in value 

monthly to $9.3 million but was down 2 percent yearly. At 2.3 

metric tons, the egg products export volumes were unchanged 

monthly at 2.3 metric tons, but down 7 percent yearly. Egg 

product values were down 6 percent monthly to $10.2 million, 

down 5 percent from the September 2019 level.

TURKEY

Production

September turkey production held unchanged on a monthly 

basis to 474 million pounds, 5 percent increase over the 2019 

level. Poults placed fell 8 percent on a monthly basis to 19.3 

million, 4 percent less than a year ago. Eggs hatched fell 3

percent monthly to 21.9 million, a 2 percent decrease from last 

year. Turkey eggs in incubators rose 4 percent to 27.0 million, 

an 8 percent decrease from September 2020 levels. Total 

turkey in cold storage fell 5 percent on a monthly basis to 506 

million pounds, down 4 percent on a yearly basis. Except for 

breast meat, cold storage stocks declined for all turkey 

categories. Compared to September 2019, whole birds, hens, 

and toms down 12 percent, 17 percent, and 6 percent while 

legs, and mechanically deboned meat down 21 percent and 28

percent. Breast meat, however, rose 2 percent yearly.

Price

Whole frozen turkey prices for both toms and hens rose 3

percent to $1.16 on a monthly basis, a 19 percent increase over 

October 2019 levels. Fresh toms and hens rose 5 percent to 

$1.32-$1.33, a 14 percent increase yearly. Turkey parts prices 

edged up slightly on a monthly basis but remain down sharply 

from 2019 levels. Fresh tom boneless, skinless breasts were 

unchanged monthly at $1.79/lb., down 14 percent yearly. 

Fresh tom drumstick and thigh meat prices rose 4 percent and 

2 percent monthly but remain down 22 percent and 24 percent

yearly, respectively.

International Trade

Volume and price of U.S. exports of turkey moved less than 1

percent in September, totaling 21 thousand metric tons valued 

at $45.87 million. Compared to the previous year, volume and 

value decreased 8 and 21 percent lower. Turkey exports can be 

expected to grow substantially in October and November if 

trade patterns follow historic trends.
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 up 

4 percent on a monthly basis at 3.9 billion pounds, a 5 percent

reduction yearly. October broiler egg set rose 2 percent

monthly to 975 million, 1 percent up from its previous year's 

level. September chicks placed were down 1 percent on both a 

monthly and yearly basis to 786 million. Total stocks of chicken 

in cold storage at the end of September increased 1 percent

monthly to 890 million pounds, down 3 percent from the 

previous year. Major chicken parts showed mixed movements. 

Stocks of whole broilers were down 14 percent monthly but up 

7 percent yearly. In contrast, boneless thighs in cold storage 

were up 5 percent monthly but down 15 percent yearly. 

Drumstick stocks were down 4 percent monthly and 24 percent

yearly. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts stocks were up 6

percent monthly and 17 percent yearly. Wings in cold storage 

were unchanged monthly but remained down 25 percent

yearly. Leg quarters were up 1 percent monthly and up 5

percent yearly.

Price

While whole bird and white-meat chicken prices held broadly 

in line with historic patterns, certain dark meat prices are 

sharply down (See charts below). Whole broiler prices were up 

7 percent monthly to $0.67/lb., but down 14 percent from their 

October 2019 level. Boneless, skinless breast prices were down 

10 percent to $0.89/lb., up 3 percent yearly. Bone-in breast 

prices rose 5 percent to $1.03/lb., up 2 percent yearly. Bonein thigh prices rose 14 percent to $0.44/lb., down 20 percent

yearly. Tenderloin prices fell 16 percent to $1.52/lb., up 5

percent yearly. Dark-meat leg quarters were up 8 percent from 

their 5-year low in September to $0.24/lb., 28 percent below

its October 2019 level (See chart). Similarly, boneless thigh 

meat fell 4 percent to 5-year low of $0.64/lb., 42 percent below 

the previous year’s level (See chart). Among dark meat parts, 

drumsticks were the only price gainer over 2019 levels. Its 

price was up 6 percent to $0.39/lb., up 2 percent from October 

2019.

International Trade

August chicken export was unchanged in volume at 280 

thousand metric tons, but up 2 percent in value at $247 million. 

Compared to September 2019, export volume is up 7 percent, 

but value is down 12 percent. Mexico, China, and Canada are 

again top three export destinations for U.S. chicken with shares 

of 21 percent, 11 percent, and 5 percent by volume. At 32 

thousand MT, China's imports rose 34 percent in volume terms,

but remains off 14 percent from its record high in May.

BEEF/VEAL

Production

September 2020 beef production totaled 2.35 billion pounds, 8

percent higher than in 2019 and up slightly from August 2020. 

Cattle slaughter was 2.81 million head, 5 percent higher yearover-year and up slightly monthly. The average live weight 

added 27 pounds from last year and 14 pounds from August to

1,365 pounds. Veal production in September 2020 was 4.9

million pounds, 20 percent lower year-over-year, and 6 percent 

below August. Calf slaughter fell to 32,400 head, down 34

percent yearly and 6 percent from August. The average live calf 

weight was up 45 pounds from 2019 and 32 pounds from 

August at 285 pounds. Total beef production for the year to 

date was slightly below last year, while veal production lost 12

percent. Total beef in cold storage at the end of September

added 3 percent compared with the end of September 2019 

but fell 1 percent from August’s volume. Stocks of boneless 

beef were down 2 percent on a monthly basis but up 2 percent 

yearly. Beef cuts were 1 percent higher month-over-month and 

up 12 percent year-over-year. Veal stocks in freezers rose 33

percent relative to August and 62 percent yearly.

Price

For the first time since May, live cattle prices (FOB, steers and 

heifers) increased, adding $3 for an average of $107 per cwt in

October, up 2 percent from September 2020, but down 3

percent from October 2019. Alternatively, the monthly average 

beef cutout value lost $8 per cwt, to $211 per cwt, 4 percent 

lower both month-over-month and year-over-year. The 90 

percent lean boneless beef monthly average price continued 

its downward trend, shedding $21 per cwt, down 10 percent 

monthly and 11 percent yearly to $197 per cwt. The October

50 percent lean trim average slipped $1, or 2 percent on a 

monthly basis, and fell 16 percent yearly to $43 per cwt. The

average price for hide-off veal carcasses added $3 for an

October average of $288 per cwt, up 1 percent from 

September, but down 8 percent yearly.

International Trade

Compared to 2019, September 2020 beef and veal exports 

(including variety meats) were 6 percent below last year at 103

thousand MT, while the export value was down 9 percent at 

$674 million. The export volume lost 6 percent on a monthly 

basis, and the value was down 11 percent. For the year to date 

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

of exports is down 9 percent. In September South Korea, Japan, 

Canada, Hong Kong and Taiwan were our largest export 

markets, with more than half exported to South Korea and 

Japan. Year-over-year beef import volumes for September rose 

18 percent compared to last year for a total of 101 thousand 

MT and were 17 percent higher in value at $594 million. On a 

monthly basis volume fell 18 percent and value fell 15 percent. 

So far this year 2020 beef imports were up 17 percent in value 

and 12 percent in volume. Australia, Canada, Mexico each 

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

September 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 September was 2.34 billion pounds, 

equal to the prior month and up 4 percent yearly. The number 

of hogs slaughtered was 11.1 million head, down 1 percent

from August though up 4 percent from September 2019. 

Average live hog weight added 3 pounds over both the year and 

the month before at 285 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 September were slightly

higher than August but down 22 percent from last year. Ham 

inventories added 2 percent for the month-over-month 

volume but fell 27 percent year-over-year, with stocks of bonein hams up 4 percent monthly, boneless hams up slightly 

month-over-month. Bone-in and boneless ham stocks are 

down 32 and 23 percent from 2019, respectively. Belly 

inventories fell 20 percent monthly and 39 percent yearly. Total 

loin stocks grew 4 percent from the August inventory and 2

percent yearly. Pork rib stocks added 3 percent monthly and 

but fell 24 percent year-over-year. Pork trimmings in freezers 

fell 4 percent from August and 7 percent from last year.

Price

The monthly average negotiated carcass price for barrows and 

gilts in October 2020 added $6 per cwt to $63 per cwt, up 11

percent monthly and 16 percent yearly. The pork cutout value 

increased $9 in October, 11 percent higher monthly and up 23

percent yearly at $94 per cwt. Prices of boneless center cut loin

(strap on) rose $8 to $124 per cwt, 8 percent above the 

September price and up 4 percent from 2019. The monthly 

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

$4 from the September average to $65 per cwt, 6 percent 

higher monthly but down 6 percent yearly. Prices for picnic 

meat combos, cushion out, added $8 to a monthly average of

$99 per cwt, up 9 percent monthly and 16 percent higher

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

cwt, adding 3 percent of its September value, and 78 percent 

to the 2019 value, at $87 per cwt. Pork belly primal values 

increased $17 on a monthly basis to $155 per cwt, 13 percent 

higher monthly and up 25 percent yearly. 

International Trade

Exports of pork (including variety meats) added 11 percent 

from September 2019 to 218 thousand metric tons and rose 8

percent in value to $541 million. Compared to August, export 

volume was up 2 percent and value was 3 percent lower. 

Cumulative exports for 2020 so far remain up 17 percent in 

volume and up 18 percent in value. Japan, Canada, Mexico, 

China and South Korea again are our largest export markets, 

with more than half the exports sent to Japan, Canada and 

Mexico. Compared to last year, September pork imports were 

3 percent lower in volume at 32 thousand MT but added 7

percent in value at $128 million. Import volume dropped 6

percent from August and value was 2 percent lower. For the

year to date, the volume of pork imports was down 10 percent

from 2019, and the value down 6 percent. In September

Canada was the source of more than half the pork imports. 

LAMB

Production

September lamb and mutton production, at 10.9 million 

pounds, down slightly on both a monthly and yearly basis. 

Sheep slaughter totaled 185,200 head, up 6 percent monthly 

and 3 percent higher than last year’s slaughter. The average 

live weight lost 6 pounds compared to last month and 5 pounds 

relative to last year at 117 pounds. January to September 2020 

commercial lamb and mutton production fell 7 percent from

2019. Lamb stocks in cold storage were down 26 percent from

2019 and 22 percent lower on a monthly basis.

Price

For the first time since March, negotiated live slaughter lamb 

prices were reported in the last two weeks of October. The 

average price for this period was $169 per cwt., 4 percent 

above the last reported price of $163 per cwt, and 13 percent 

higher than last October. The average lamb cutout value added 

$19 on a monthly basis to average $443 per cwt, up 5 percent 

monthly and 11 percent yearly. Leg of lamb, trotter-off (233A)

gained $15 for an average of $381 per cwt, 4 percent higher

monthly but down 2 percent yearly. The average price for lamb 

shoulder (IMPS 207) in October increased $14 to $354 per cwt, 

up 4 percent from the month before and up 8 percent from

October 2019. Trimmed 4x4 loins jumped $34 to $684 per cwt,

5 percent higher than September and 35 percent above last

year. 

International Trade

The U.S. lamb export volume lost 33 percent in September

relative to August, but rose more than 337 percent yearly, with 

exports at 1,115 metric tons. The monthly export sales value 

fell 28 percent but rose 73 percent relative to 2019 at $1.25

million. For the year 2020 so far, lamb exports were 350

percent above the 2019 volume, but the value of exports was 

up 10 percent. The vast majority of lamb exports went to 

Mexico, with Panama, Bermuda, the Leeward-Windward 

Islands and Japan the next highest destinations for U.S. lamb 

and mutton. Imports of lamb to the U.S. decreased 9 percent

in September compared to August at 8.5 thousand metric tons, 

while the value of imports grew 3 percent to $64 million. Yearover-year imports were 57 percent higher in volume and 38

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

up 9 percent in volume, but down 13 percent relative to 2019. 

Almost 98 percent of the September imports were from 

Australia and New Zealand, with about 2 percent of the lamb 

imports to the U.S coming from Mexico.

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. 

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

100.0

110.0

120.0

130.0

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

cents per pound

Northeast Chicken Price - B/S Thighs

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg

190.0

210.0

230.0

250.0

270.0

290.0

310.0

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

dollars per hundredweight

Monthly 90% Lean Boneless Beef Price 

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg

40.0

60.0

80.0

100.0

120.0

140.0

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

dollars per hundredweight

Monthly Pork 72% Trim Combo Price

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg

20.0

25.0

30.0

35.0

40.0

45.0

50.0

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

cents per pound

Northeast Chicken Price - Bulk Leg Quarters

2020 2019 2016-2018 avg