U.S. Red Meat In Cold
Storage Up Slightly

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat supplies in freezers on September 30 at 731.7 million pounds were up slightly from both last month and September 1997.

Frozen beef stocks at 316,190,000 pounds were down nine percent from a year ago and up three percent from August. Boneless beef at 280,853,000 pounds was down 12 percent from a year ago and up three percent from last month. Beef cuts at 35,338,000 pounds were up 20 percent from a year ago and eight percent more than last month.

Frozen pork stocks at 338,726,000 pounds were up 12 percent from last year and one percent below last month. Hams were up three percent from a year ago, bellies down 17 percent, loins up four percent, ribs up 25 percent and trimmings up 36 percent.

Veal stocks at 5,087,000 pounds were down 13 percent from a year ago but five percent more than last month.

Lamb and mutton supplies at 12,220,000 pounds were 24 percent below a year ago and 16 percent less than last month.