USDA estimated there were 893.6 million lbs. of red meat in frozen storage as of April 30, up 39.5 million lbs. from March but 56.0 million lbs. less than last year.
Beef stocks totaled 418.1 million lbs., down 7.0 million lbs. from March, which was less than the five-year average decline of 16.5 million lbs. during the month. Still, beef inventories declined 8.2 million lbs. (1.9%) from last year and 52.1 million lbs. (11.1%) from the five-year average.
Pork stocks totaled 455.8 million lbs., up 46.3 million lbs. from March. That was more than double the five-year average increase of 21.7 million lbs., though some of that was due to a 12.8-million-lb. downward revision to March stocks. Still, pork stocks declined 43.5 million lbs. (8.7%) from April 2024 and 92.5 million lbs. (16.9%) from the five-year average.
Poultry stocks stood at 1.076 billion lbs., including 224.1 million lbs. of chicken breasts.