The latest Cold Storage report from the USDA has painted a contrasting picture for red meat and poultry storage in the United States. The report, which provides a snapshot of the industry as of November, indicates a downward trend for red meat, with an 11% decrease from the same period last year. In contrast, poultry storage experienced a slight uptick, showing a 3% increase.
Delving into the specifics, the total red meat stocks stood at 894.1 million pounds in November. This figure is noteworthy as it represents the second-lowest monthly level recorded this year, according to the Daily Livestock Report’s analysis.
Beef, a significant component of these stocks, reached 454.7 million pounds in cold storage, marking a 13.1% decrease from the previous year. This decline was observed across various categories, with boneless beef stocks falling by 13.4% and beef cuts by 10.1%.
Pork stocks have been following a declining pattern since April, with the November figures dropping to 416.1 million pounds, the lowest for the year. This trend was highlighted by significant changes in specific categories, such as a 13.7% decrease in belly stocks and a 5.4% increase in ham stocks.
In the poultry sector, chicken stocks totalled 863.0 million pounds, a decrease of 3.7%, with variations noted in different cuts. Meanwhile, turkey stocks showed a marked increase, reaching 202.6 million pounds in November, a 44.4% rise from the previous year.
The report also noted a decrease in lamb and mutton stocks, which fell by 24.4% to 22.4 million pounds, reaching their lowest level since May 2022.
These figures from the USDA Cold Storage report provide critical insights into the current state of meat and poultry storage in the United States, reflecting the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the industry.
