Red meat, poultry supplies in cold storage tighten

U.S. red meat and poultry in cold storage ended August below year ago levels.

The USDA says red meat stocks were 7% below the end of August 2024 at 809.675 million pounds, with a 13% drop in pork to 393.893 million pounds due to lower production and good demand more than canceling out a 2% gain in beef at 393.082 million pounds, which rose at least partially because of price impacting consumer interest.

Poultry supplies were slightly lower than last year at 1.212 billion pounds on a 4% increase in chicken to 790.938 million pounds against an 8% decrease in turkey to 418.351 million pounds, with both influenced by production and demand. The USDA says that for the month of August, chicken breasts and breast meat in cold storage were all-time highs, while chicken leg quarters, while turkey hens and unclassified turkey were all-time lows.