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 2-20

February 2020

EGGS

Production

Table egg production in December was up 3 percent from 

November at 716 million dozen, 4 percent above last 

December. Broiler-type hatching egg production was 1.12

billion pounds produced, up 3.5 percent monthly and up 2.9 

percent from 2018. In December 88.6 million egg-type 

hatching eggs were produced, 1.5 percent more than in 2018. 

Shell eggs broken totaled 207 billion dozen, up 0.7 percent 

from December a year ago, and up 7 percent from November 

2019. The number of table-egg layers in the national flock on 

January 1, 2020 increased to 341 million birds, rising slightly 

from December and 3 percent from January 2019. Hatching 

egg layers for the table egg flock held at 3.5 million birds, 2 

percent over last January, and the broiler-type hatching egg 

flock rose to 59.9 million birds, up 1.5 percent from December 

2019 and 2.7 percent more than the flock in January 2019. The 

number of pullets added during December for all types of egg 

production was 25.5 million, down 4 percent December 2018. 

Price

In January, prices for a dozen Large Grade A eggs in the New 

York wholesale market fell 34 cents to an average of 91

cents/dozen, 27 percent below the December price and 21 

percent below the January 2019 level. Breaking stock prices fell 

22 cents to 28 cents per dozen, 45 percent below the 

December price and 32 percent below its January 2019 level.

International Trade

U.S. table shell egg exports in December totaled 10.5 million 

dozen, up 9 percent from November and down slightly from 

December 2018. The export value was $11.2 million, 16

percent higher monthly but down 3 percent yearly. At 3.4 

thousand metric tons, the volume of egg products exported 

was down 16 percent from November but 12 percent above 

December 2018. Egg product exports in December were 

valued at $11.5 million, down 9 percent from November and 1

percent below last year. Compared to 2018, cumulative yearly 

exports of table eggs were up 18 percent in volume but down 

11 percent in value. Total 2019 egg product exports were up 2 

percent in volume and down 3 percent in value. Top export 

destinations Mexico, Canada and Hong Kong respectively 

comprised 31, 17, and 8 percent of all egg and egg product 

exports in the last month of 2019.

TURKEY

Production

The U.S. produced 443 million pounds of turkey on a ready-tocook basis in December, down 5 percent monthly and 0.6 

percent yearly. Total yearly turkey production was down 1.2 

percent from 2018. Turkey eggs in incubators on the first of 

January were up 6 percent monthly and 2 percent yearly at 

28.3 million eggs. December poult placements rose slightly on 

a monthly basis, and were up 1 percent year-over-year, at 20 

million.

Turkey in cold storage rose 5 percent in December relative to 

November but was down 23 percent from the 2018 end-ofDecember levels. Total stocks of whole frozen birds, hens, and 

toms were down 42, 54 and 30 percent, respectively, from last 

year. Breast meat stocks were 18 percent lower year-overyear, while leg meat stocks were down 44 percent.

Price

For January 2020, the average price of whole frozen hens was 

95 cents/lb, down 2 cents, and 2 percent from the December 

2019 price, and 14 cents, or 18 percent above the January 2019 

level. The whole frozen toms price was 95 cents/lb., down 

slightly from December and up 18 percent from the January 

2019 price. For individual cuts, the fresh tom boneless/skinless 

breast price was 191 cents/lb., down 2 cents, or 1 percent, on 

a monthly basis, and down 17 cents (8 percent) yearly. Fresh 

tom boneless/skinless thigh meat remained steady for the 

sixth consecutive month at 156 cents/lb., 25 percent higher 

than January 2019. Fresh tom drumsticks regained the penny 

lost in December to end at 74 cents/lb., 1 percent higher 

monthly and 6 percent higher yearly. 

International Trade

In December, the U.S. exported 20.8 thousand metric tons of 

turkey products with a value of $52 million. This volume was 

24 percent lower than November and the value was down 22

percent. Compared with December 2018, exports were 6 

percent lower in volume but 5 percent higher in value. Total 

2019 turkey exports were higher by 6 percent in volume and 9

percent in value. Mexico, Japan and Canada were the top 

export markets for U.S. turkey meat in December 2019, with 

Mexico taking 63 percent of U.S. exports. 
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 volume of young chicken in December 2019 added 

6 percent monthly and 13 percent yearly for a total of 3.6 

billion pounds on a ready-to-cook basis. The total 2019 yearly 

production of young chicken meat was up 3 percent over 2018. 

For the weeks ending February 1, 2020 eggs set were 16 

percent lower than 2019, and chicks placed were up 5 percent 

compared with the same period last year.

Total stocks of chicken in cold storage at the end of December 

were 962 million pounds, down 2 percent from the end of 

November 2019 but up 9 percent from December 2018. Stocks 

of whole broilers were down 11 percent from the previous 

month but up 15 percent from the year before. Bone-in thighs 

in cold storage were down 6 percent from both November 

2019 and December 2018. Drumstick stocks were down 8 

percent monthly but up 8 percent yearly. Stocks of b/s breasts 

in freezers were 5 percent higher than in November and 15 

percent higher than last December. Cold storage of wings were 

down 12 percent for the month and 35 percent from last year’s 

levels. Leg quarters were down 17 percent monthly and up 33 

percent yearly.

Price

Compared to December 2019, whole broiler prices were up 7 

percent, closing January 2020 at 91 cents/lb., 8 percent below 

the January 2019 average price. Boneless/skinless (B/S) breast 

prices lost 5 cents (6 percent) to 93 cents/lb., 8 percent lower 

yearly. Wing prices added 10 cents, or 6 percent, to 184 cents 

per pound, 7 percent higher yearly. Bulk leg quarter prices rose 

1 cent to 38 cents/lb., higher by 2 percent monthly and 28 

percent yearly. Boneless/skinless thigh meat prices lost 2 cents 

to 109 cents/lb., down 2 percent from December and 6 percent 

from the January 2019 value. Bone-in thighs held steady at 65 

cents/lb., 1 percent lower than last January. Drumsticks gained 

4 cents for an average of 41 cents/lb., 12 percent higher 

monthly and 17 percent higher yearly. 

International Trade

December exports of chicken and chicken products totaled 266 

thousand metric tons valued at $254 million. This is a drop in 

volume and value of 9 percent and 6 percent, respectively,

compared to November. Year-over-year, this represents a 1 

percent increase in volume and an 11 percent increase in 

value. Total yearly exports of chicken were up 1 percent in 

volume and 2 percent in value compared to 2018. Mexico, 

Canada and Cuba were the largest importers of U.S. broiler 

meat with 19, 9 and 6 percent of U.S. exports, respectively.

BEEF/VEAL

Production

December 2019 beef production was 7 percent higher than 

2018 and down 1 percent from the prior month at 2.27 billion 

pounds. Cattle slaughter was 2.75 million head, up 7 percent 

year-over-year and down 1 percent monthly. The average live 

weight was up 5 pounds from last year and down 2 pounds 

from November at 1,373 pounds. Beef production for was 1

percent higher than 2018. Veal production in December 2019 

was 6.5 million pounds, up 1 percent year-over-year, and 7 

percent higher monthly. Calf slaughter was 49,800 head, down 

7 percent yearly and down 7 percent from November. The 

average live weight was up 1 pound from November at 228

pounds, and up 18 pounds yearly. Total veal production for 

2019 was down 2 percent from last year.

Total beef in cold storage at the end of December was down 3

percent compared with the end of December 2018, but up 1

percent compared with November. Stocks of boneless beef 

were up 1 percent monthly but down 2 percent yearly, while 

beef cuts were down 8 percent month-over-month and down 

10 percent year-over-year. Veal stocks in freezers gained 13

percent relative to November and were down 25 percent 

yearly.

Price

Live cattle prices (FOB, steers and heifers) in January 2020 

added nearly $5 to $120 per cwt, 4 percent above December

2019 and 2 percent above the January 2019 price. The monthly 

average beef cutout value lost $18 per cwt., to $218 per cwt.,

7 below December and 2 percent higher than last January. The 

90 percent lean boneless beef monthly average price rose 2 

percent from the month before, averaging $241 per cwt., 24 

higher year-over-year. The 50 percent lean trim price lost $21

to $63 per cwt, 24 percent below December but up 4 percent 

from last year. The average prices for hide-off veal carcasses 

held steady at $305 per cwt, down 1 percent both monthly and 

yearly.

International Trade

Compared to 2018, December 2019 beef and veal exports 

(including variety meats) were down 1 percent at 111 thousand 

MT while the export value was down 3 percent at $682 million. 

The export volume and value were up 2 and 4 percent from 

November, respectively. Total exports for 2019 were 3 percent 

lower in volume and 2 percent lower in value compared to

2018. In December, South Korea, Japan and Mexico were our 

largest export markets. Year-over-year beef import volumes 

for December were up 8 percent at 82 thousand MT and were 

20 percent higher in value at $502 million. On a monthly basis 

volume fell 5 percent and value lost 6 percent. Total beef 

imports for 2019 were 3 percent higher relative to 2018, with 

value up 8 percent. Australia, Canada and Mexico were the 

largest importers of beef to the U.S. in December 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 in December totaled 2.44 billion pounds, up 1

percent monthly and 9 percent from 2018, for a record high 

production volume for the month of December. The number of 

hogs slaughtered was 11.4 million head, up 9 percent from 

December 2018 but up less than 1 percent from November 

2019. The average live weight was up 2 pounds from last year

and equal to last month at 288. Total pork production in 2019 

rose 5 percent from 2018. 

Total stocks of pork in cold storage at the end of December

were up 1 percent from November and 15 percent higher than

last year. Ham inventories declined 23 percent month-overmonth but were up 17 percent year-over-year, with stocks of 

bone-in hams down 44 percent monthly but up 39 percent

yearly, and boneless hams down 12 percent and up 10 percent, 

respectively. Belly inventories added 25 percent monthly and 

61 percent from last year. Total loin stocks gained 2 percent 

for the month and 46 percent yearly. Pork rib stocks increased

10 percent monthly but fell 2 percent yearly. Pork trimmings in 

freezers were 24 percent higher than November and up 6

percent from last year. 

Price

The monthly average negotiated carcass price for barrows and 

gilts in January 2020 added $1 per/lb. to $46 per cwt., up 4 

percent monthly but down 2 percent from last year. The pork 

cutout value fell $2 in January to a monthly average of $80 per 

cwt., down 4 percent from December but up 11 percent from

January 2019. The monthly average price for trimmed, bone-in 

hams, 23-27 pounds lost $8 to $78 per cwt., up 57 percent from 

last year. Prices for picnic meat combos, cushion out, lost $2

to $94 per cwt., 51 percent above 2018. 72 percent lean pork 

trimmings prices increased $8 per cwt. averaging $63 per cwt,

up 32 percent from last January. Pork belly primal values 

dropped $20 per cwt. to $96 per cwt., down 22 percent yearly. 

International Trade

Pork exports (including variety meats) in December 2019 were 

up 9 percent from the previous month at 276 thousand metric 

tons, and up 7 percent in value at $728 million. Compared to 

last year, exports were 35 percent higher in volume and up 47

percent value. The total 2019 pork export volume was up 10

percent and the value up 9 percent. China, Mexico and Japan 

were our largest export markets. Compared to last year, 

December pork imports were 15 percent lower in volume at 31 

thousand MT, and 7 percent lower in value at $117 million. 

Import volume and value were down from November by 9 and 

10 percent, respectively. Total imports for all of 2019 were 

down 6 percent in volume and 5 percent in value. Canada, Italy

and Poland were the top importers of pork to the U.S.

LAMB

Production

December lamb and mutton production, at 12.1 million 

pounds, was up 8 percent from December 2018 and down 

slightly from November 2019. Sheep slaughter totaled 196,500 

head, down 9 percent from November and down 3 percent 

from last year. The average live weight was 123 pounds, down 

2 pounds monthly and down 8 pounds yearly. Total 2019 lamb 

and mutton production fell 4 percent from 2018. Lamb stocks 

in cold storage were 5 percent lower than 2018 but up 2 

percent from the previous month.

Price

The January negotiated live slaughter lamb price held steady 

on a monthly basis at $152 per cwt., up 15 percent from 2019. 

The average lamb cutout value lost $1 for a monthly average 

of $398 per cwt, 4 percent above last January. The monthly 

average price for leg of lamb, trotter-off fell $11 to $370 per 

cwt., 3 percent below the January 2019 average. The average 

price for lamb shoulder (IMPS 207) in January slipped $5, or 1

percent monthly to $327 per cwt., but added 14 percent 

compared to January 2019. Trimmed 4x4 loins increased $12

to $533 per cwt., up 2 percent monthly, but down 2 percent 

yearly. Legs, trotter-off added $11 to close January at $370 per 

cwt. up 2 percent from 2019. 

International Trade

The U.S. lamb export volume more than doubled, to 135

percent in December relative to November, for a total of 340

metric tons valued at $1.32 million (up 30 percent). On a yearly 

basis, the export volume was 146 percent higher and value

rose 29 percent. The total 2019 export volume fell 2 percent, 

though the value was 3 percent higher. Mexico, El Salvador and 

Trinidad/Tobago were the top destinations for U.S. lamb and 

mutton. Imports of lamb to the U.S. were up 32 percent in 

December compared to November at 11.1 thousand metric 

tons, and the value of imports rose 30 percent to $94 million. 

Year-over-year imports were up 30 percent in volume and 12

percent lower in value. Cumulative imports for the year were

up 2 percent with the value up 12 percent. Australia, New 

Zealand and Mexico are the top three importing countries 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. 

550

600

650

700

750

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

thousand dozens

Monthly Table Egg Production

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

3,000

3,200

3,400

3,600

3,800

4,000

4,200

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

million pounds

Ready-to-Cook Young Chicken Production

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

1.75

2.00

2.25

2.50

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

billion pounds

Monthly Commercial Beef Production

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg

 1.8

 2.0

 2.2

 2.4

 2.6

 2.8

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

million pounds

Monthly Commercial Pork Production

2019 2018 2015-2017 avg