Source:  RIta Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 7/23/10

USDA reported total red meat supplies in freezers on June 30 were down 3 percent from the previous month and down 22 percent from last year.

Frozen pork supplies were down 8 percent from the previous month and down 29 percent from last year.  Stocks of pork bellies were down 20 percent from last month and down 54 percent from last year, according to USDA’s monthly Cold Storage report.

Total frozen poultry supplies were up 2 percent from the previous month but down 6 percent from a year ago.  Total stocks of chicken were down 3 percent from the previous month but up 2 percent from last year.
Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 9 percent from last month but down 15 percent from June 30, 2009.

J.P.Morgan analyst Ken Goldman called the report "positive for the entire protein sector but particularly for Smithfield, given the significant decline in pork stocks."

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