Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 9/19/16


In 2016, U.S. per capita disappearance of red meats and poultry on a retail basis is projected at 214.8 pounds per person, down 7 pounds per capita from a decade ago, 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.

Poultry accounts for by far the largest share of disappearance. Poultry’s 51-percent share of the total red meat plus poultry disappearance is mostly composed of 91.5 pounds of broiler meat and 17 pounds of turkey per person in 2016.

Total red meat’s share of disappearance (49 percent) is largely accounted for by 55.2 pounds of beef per person, 49.9 pounds of pork and one pound of lamb.

Disappearance in 2006 was almost 222 pounds per person, about seven pounds more red meat and poultry per person than expected to be used in 2016.

USDA projects beef disappearance will be down almost 11 pounds per person in 2016 compared to a decade ago, due to tighter domestic supplies of beef in 2016. Lower beef production as the industry recovers from a severe multiyear drought and a strong recovery in exports from market closures in late-2003 due to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy both underlie this reduction.

USDA projects that chicken, pork and turkey disappearance will be slightly higher than a decade ago, with chicken up 3.6 pounds per person, pork up 0.4 pounds per person and turkey up 0.1 pounds per person.

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