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Red meat in cold storage up 10% from 2021, dairy down

U.S. red meat and poultry in cold storage at the end of November were up significantly from the previous year. 

Several turkey categories notched record lows because of depopulation due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and retailers preparing for Thanksgiving.

The USDA says red meat in cold storage was down 4 percent from the previous month, but up 10 percent on the year.  Total pounds of beef in freezers were up 2 percent on the month and 6 percent on the year.  Pork supplies were down 11 percent on the month, but up 13 percent year-over-year.  Pork bellies were up 35 percent from last month and up 116 percent on the year. 

Poultry supplies were down 11 percent on the month, but up 15 percent on the year.  While chicken stocks were up 2 percent on the month and 22 percent on the year, turkey supplies were down 50 percent on the month and up 1 percent on the year. 

There were fewer dairy products in cold storage at the end of November.  USDA officials say total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on November 30th were down 1% from the previous month but up 1% from November of 2021. Butter stocks were down 17% from last month and down 5% from a year ago

Butter in cold storage at the end of November was 199.69 million pounds, compared to 239.65 million pounds at the end of October. 
The USDA’s next set of supply and demand estimates is out on January 12^th.