November 23, 2006

US frozen red meat in storage up while frozen poultry down

Red meat held in frozen storage in the US has increased 3 percent while frozen poultry has dropped 4 percent, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Total red meat supplies in commercial freezers were up three percent from last month and up six percent from the previous year, according to NASS.

Frozen pork supplies were up six percent from last month and five percent higher than last year.

Pork bellies showed significant increase. Stocks of pork bellies were up 63 percent from last month, and up nine percent from last year.

Poultry showed less excess, with total frozen poultry supplies on October 31, 2006  down four percent from the previous month and down eight percent from one year ago.

Although total stocks of chicken were up slightly from the previous month, it was down 11 percent from last year, NASS said.