Red meat outlooks up, poultry and eggs down

The USDA raised its 2025 red meat production outlooks, while cutting the guesses for poultry and eggs.

Beef production is now seen at 25.79 billion pounds, up 125 million from December on higher slaughter levels and placement numbers, with an average steer price of $196 per hundredweight, $5 higher, and larger imports and consumption against steady exports.

Pork is estimated at 28.51 billion pounds, 140 million higher due to pig crop and farrowing data, with an average barrow and gilt price of $63, up $1, along with increased consumption and no changes for trade.

Broilers are pegged at 47.625 billion pounds, a drop of 300 million on lower weights, with an average price of $1.32 per pound, a gain of $.02, and steady imports with cuts to exports and consumption.

Turkey production is projected at 5.1 billion pounds, a decline of 45 million due to hatchery numbers and highly pathogenic avian influenza related culling, with an average price of $.99 pound, $.02 lower, with higher imports, lower exports, and no change to consumption.