October 26, 2009
US marks overall decline in red meat and poultry supplies
The USDA has recently released the results of its monthly cold storage survey, which showed continued declines in overall red meat and poultry supplies.
Total beef, pork, chicken and turkey stocks were estimated at 2.218 billion pounds, down 6.1 percent from a year ago but up 1.7 percent over the five year average.
Total pork stocks as of September 30 were estimated at 531.9 million pounds, up 1.1 percent from a year ago and 14.9-percent higher than the five-year average. Stocks have continued to move lower in September despite relatively large pork production, implying good domestic and export demand with some pent-up demand going into the fourth quarter.
Total beef stocks at the end of September were reported to be 434.1 million pounds, down 4.5 percent from a year ago and 6.8-percent lower than the five year average. imported beef entries have slowed down, which is likely to have limited the amount of imported beef, which is mostly frozen, in storage. Stocks of beef cuts were 65.1 million pounds, 16.1-percent lower than a year ago.
Total broiler inventories were also estimated to be 636.7 million pounds, down 16 percent compared to 2008.
