December 23, 2008

US meat production across beef, pork and poultry categories next year is expected to decline on 2008 levels, according to the USDA.

US beef production is projected to decline by 0.2 percent or 22,226 tonnes to 12.08 million tonnes cwt, as lower cattle placements into feedlots in recent months tightens fed cattle supplies heading into 2009.

However, US beef exports are forecast to increase 3 percent in 2009 to 870,897 tonnes cwt, while beef imports are seen to grow 6 percent to 1.18 million tonnes cwt to fill the supply shortage in the US.

US pork output is expected to fall 1.2 percent to 10.5 million tonnes cwt due to heavier hog weights as feed costs decline.

US poultry production next year is expected to decrease 2 percent to 19.35 million tonnes cwt, due to significant losses incurred by the poultry industry and the filing for bankruptcy by Pilgrim's Pride. Much of the decline is expected to be in the first half of 2009 due to a recent fall in egg sets.