Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 8/23/16


USDA’s latest Cold Storage report shows the largest combined volume of beef, pork, chicken and turkey in freezers since 2002, according to the Daily Livestock Report.

At the end of July the combined volume of beef, pork, chicken and turkey was 2.419 billion pounds, 2.8 percent higher than a year ago and 9.7 percent higher than the five-year average.

USDA reported total frozen poultry supplies on July 31, 2016, were up 2 percent from the previous month and up 7 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were up 1 percent from the previous month and up 7 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 5 percent from last month and up 7 percent from July 31, 2015.

Total red meat supplies in freezers were up 3 percent from the previous month but down 2 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were up 3 percent from the previous month and up 2 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were up 2 percent from the previous month but down 5 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were down 20 percent from last month but up 114 percent from last year.

The DLR analysts noted that beef supplies are increasing at a time of year they typically decline. It also noted the inventory of chicken wings in cold storage at 92.7 million pounds is 58 percent higher than last year and 36.4 percent higher than the five year average.

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