U.S. Meat In Storage
9% Above A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat supplies in U.S. freezers on March 31 at 889.69 million pounds were up nine percent from a year ago and up three percent from February.

Beef stocks at 309.97 million pounds were down six percent from a year ago but up three percent from last month. Boneless beef at 270.4 million pounds was down four percent from a year ago and cuts at 39.6 million pounds were down four percent.

Frozen pork stocks at 558.3 million pounds were up 22 percent from last month and up two percent from February. This is a record high for March and the fourth month in a row that pork supplies exceeded the 500 million pound mark. Hams at 76.5 million pounds were down three percent from a year ago, bellies at 106.1 million pounds were up 95 percent, and ribs at 83.98 million pounds were up 33 percent.

Veal at 4.4 million pounds was down 28 percent from a year ago but up five percent from last month.

Lamb and mutton in storage at 12.4 million pounds was down 24 percent from a year ago but up two percent from last month.