Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 3/16/17


In 2017, per capita disappearance of red meats and poultry on a retail basis in the United States is projected to be 217.2 pounds per person, 2.6 pounds more than the 214.6 pounds available per capita last year, according to USDA’s latest Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook report.  

Disappearance is the quantity of red meat and poultry that is used in domestic markets. Per capita disappearance is calculated by subtracting net exports and stocks changes from production and then dividing this result by the U.S. population.

This year, red meats (beef, pork, veal, and lamb) are expected to make up slightly more than half of disappearance (51.1 percent), while poultry will likely account for slightly less (49.9 percent).

In 2016, the breakdown between shares of red meats and poultry was the reverse: poultry comprised slightly more at 50.2 percent of total per capita disappearance   while red meats accounted for 49.8 percent.

Although poultry production is expected to rise 2 percent this year, strong production increases of beef and pork—4.1 percent and 4.7 percent, respectively— largely explain the share of red meat per capita availability in 2017.

For more stories, go to www. meatingplace.com.