July 27, 2010

US ready-to-cook poultry weight up marginally

During June 2010, poultry certified wholesome (ready-to-cook weight) totalled 3.67 billion pounds, up 2% from the amount certified in June 2009, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

The May 2010 revised certified total at 3.51 billion pounds, was up 3% from May 2009. The May revision represented an increase of 7.8 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during June 2010 was 4.87 billion pounds, up 2% from 4.79 billion pounds a year ago.

Young chickens inspected totalled 4.17 billion pounds, up 2% from June 2009. Mature chickens, at 70.8 million pounds, were down 2% from the previous year.

Young chickens slaughtered during June 2010 averaged 5.62 pounds per bird, up 2% from June 2009. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.73 pounds per bird, up 1% from a year ago.

During June 2010, ante-mortem condemnations totalled 12.3 million pounds Condemnations were 0.25% of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.29% one year earlier. At 33.4 million pounds, post-mortem condemnations were 0.90% of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.03% one year earlier.