There were 401.26 million lbs. of beef in the nation’s freezers at the end of July, just a 256,000-MT decline from the end of June versus the five-year average increase of 23.6 million lbs. for the month. Beef stocks were down 8.8% from year-ago. The data is further proof of impressive beef demand.
Pork stocks totaled 443.13 million lbs. at the end of July, a 1.21-million-lb. increase from the month prior. Pork stocks typically don’t change too much during July, with the five-year average being a 1.8- million-lb. drawdown during the month. Pork stocks were down 3.8% from year-ago levels.
Stocks of frozen poultry totaled 1.173 billion lbs. at the end of July, a 2.3% increase from June but a 16.6% decline from year-ago. Chicken breast stocks were down notably from month and last year’s record level.