January 25, 2005

U.S. year-end red meat supplies up

Total frozen red meat inventories ended finished 2004 up 7% from November, totaling 974.9 million pounds. This is an increase of 11% from the same period in 2003, notes the USDA in its latest report on agricultural products in cold storage.

Most frozen pork supplies recorded a month on-month increase, rising 11% from the previous month of November and up 3% from the previous year at 483.6 million pounds. Stocks of pork bellies were also up 67% from the previous month at 56.6 million pounds and up 16% from last year.