U.S. red meat stocks at the start of 2023 were above last year’s levels.
The USDA says the red meat total was 1.03 billion pounds, up 11% from the start of 2022, with a 7% increase in beef to 543.955 million pounds and 16% jump in pork to 458.142 million pounds.
That pork jump included a 66% year-to-year rise in belly stocks with the industry rebuilding supplies after strong demand.
Those year-to-year gains were despite lower monthly production, with some of that slower December demand tied to a late-month winter storm that delayed movement to retail establishments and restaurants.
