USDA reports there were 414.94 million lbs. of beef in frozen storage at the end of August, a 14.12 million-lb. (3.5%) build for the month which was a bit lighter than the 18.6-million-lb. average rise over the past five years. Frozen stocks of beef were down 34.40 million lbs. (7.7%) from year-ago.
Frozen pork stocks ended August at 460.06 million lbs., up 17.67 million lbs. (4.0%) from July. On average over the past five years, stocks of frozen pork have climbed 12.1 million lbs. during August. Frozen pork stocks have substantially narrowed their deficit to year-ago levels, with stocks ending August 4.86 million lbs. (1.0%) under year-ago.
Frozen poultry stocks of 1.137 billion lbs. as of Aug. 31 were down 2.8% from year-ago and 20.0% versus year-ago levels. Chicken breast meat stocks declined 41.9 million lbs. (20.5%) from last year’s record levels.