January 26, 2010

US ready-to-cook poultry weight down slightly in December

During December, US poultry-certified wholesome (ready-to-cook weight) totalled 3.45 billion pounds, down 1% from the amount certified in December 2008.

According to official statistics, the November 2009 revised certified total was up 3% from November 2008, totalling 3.31 billion pounds. The November revision represented an increase of 22.1 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

During December, the preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected was 4.6 billion pounds, down 1% from 4.64 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 3.95 billion pounds, up slightly from December 2008, and while mature chickens, at 61.3 million pounds, down 4% from the previous year.

Young chickens slaughtered during December averaged 5.65 pounds per bird, up 2% from December 2008. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.49 pounds per bird, down 1% from a year ago. During December, turkeys slaughtered averaged 29.6 pounds per bird, up slightly from December 2008.

Ante-mortem condemnations during December 2009 totalled 12.5 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.27% of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.31% one year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 34.2 million pounds, were 0.98% of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.17% one year earlier.