Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 10/23/18


Total meat and poultry supplies in cold storage continued above year ago levels in September, but increases slowed as the poultry industry reduces chick placements and strong beef exports coupled with lower imports curb inventory build-up.

In its monthly Cold Storage report, USDA reported total frozen poultry supplies on Sept. 30, 2018 were down slightly from the previous month but up 10 percent from a year ago.

Total stocks of chicken were up 4 percent from the previous month and up 17 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were down 7 percent from last month and down 1 percent from September 30, 2017.

Total red meat supplies in freezers were up 1 percent from the previous month but down 1 percent from last year.

Total pounds of beef in freezers were up 1 percent from the previous month and up 3 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were up 1 percent from the previous month but down 5 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were down 13 percent from last month but up 45 percent from last year.

In an analysis of the report, the Daily Livestock Report explained, “Beef production was smaller than a year ago this past September due to one less production day and less aggressive fed cattle marketings. Combined with lower imports and robust exports, this limited the pace of beef inventory build last month.”

The report also noted that more beef cuts going into cold storage are more likely, indicating end-users accumulating product for year-end holiday needs rather than a sign of weaker demand. Pork production was reduced by Hurricane Florence in North Carolina as well as that one less slaughter day than the previous September.

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