January 24, 2014
US December red meat supplies up, poultry down
The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) report as of December 31, 2013 revealed that total red meat supplies in freezers gained slightly for the month, but declined 2% compared to last year.
Total pounds of beef in freezers declined 3% from the previous month and dipped 6% from last year, while pork supplies climbed 2% from the previous month and 1% from last year, NASS said. Stocks of pork bellies jumped 67% from last month and 124% from last year.
At the end of December 2013, total frozen poultry declined 3% from the previous month and were down 6% compared to a year ago, according to NASS. Total stocks of chicken dropped 7% from the previous month and declined slightly from last year, while total pounds of turkey in freezers advanced 8% from last month but dropped 20% from December 31, 2012.