December 30, 2013
US November poultry, red meat inventories down
Reports from USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reveal that the country's supplies of red meat and poultry in cold storage declined in November, but were slightly higher compared to 2012 levels.
On November 30, poultry supplies in cold storage dropped 18% from October but edged higher by 1% from a year ago, according to NASS. Total stocks of chicken rose 2% from the previous month and increased 7% from last year, while total pounds of turkey in freezers fell 50% from October and declined 14% from November 30.
Supplies of red meat in freezers slipped 2% from the previous October and eased 1% compared to 2012, NASS reported. Total pounds of beef in freezers were 1% over the October total, while frozen pork supplies dropped 3% compared to October and eased 2% compared to last year. Stocks of pork bellies soared 81% compared to October and rose 103% from last year's total.