Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 11/24/15


Total pounds of turkey in freezers on Oct. 31 were down 21 percent from last month and down 9 percent from a year ago, according to USDA’s Cold Storage report. Analysts said the decline reflects the impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) losses.

Total stocks of chicken were up 8 percent from the previous month and up 31 percent from last year. Total chicken is a record high for the month of October, since the data were first recorded in 1939. Analysts in the Daily Livestock Report also tied the increase to heavier bird weights because some export markets remain closed due to HPAI concerns.

Total red meat supplies in freezers were down 3 percent from the previous month, but up 21 percent from last year. Total red meat is at a record high for the month of October, since the data were first recorded in 1916.

Total pounds of beef in freezers were up 3 percent from the previous month and up 34 percent from last year. The DLR analysts noted the bulk of the beef in cold storage is boneless beef, which is believed to be imported product from Australia.

Frozen pork supplies were down 8 percent from the previous month, but up 13 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were up 64 percent from last month, but down 39 percent from last year. The analysts noted the decrease in pork supplies since September is significant, given that October’s commercial pork production was up 2 percent from a year ago.

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