Pork stocks build less than normal, beef inventories rise contra-seasonally

Beef stocks totaled 526.4 million lbs., up 19.3 million lbs. (3.8%) versus December, whereas the five-year average was a 2-million-lb. decline during the month. Beef stocks were 7.1 million lbs. (1.4%) above January 2021 inventories but 14.9 million lbs. (2.9%) under the five-year average.

Frozen pork inventories at 428.5 million lbs. rose 32.0 million lbs. (8.1%) from December, far less than the five-year average gain of 56.7 million lbs. during January. Pork stocks were 29.0 million lbs. (6.3%) under year-ago and 121.7 million lbs. (22.1%) less than the five-year average.

Total poultry stocks at 1.01 billion lbs. increased 98.8 million lbs. (10.8%) from December but were 111.5 million lbs. (9.9%) less than last year. Chicken breast stocks at 163.5 million lbs. declined 75.8 million lbs. (31.7%) versus last year’s January record.