WASHINGTON (RFD-TV) — The USDA’s August Cold Storage report shows shifting stock levels across major dairy, meat, and poultry products.
Butter & Cheese
Natural cheese supplies in refrigerated warehouses ended the month one percent lower than in July, but two percent higher than a year earlier.
Butter stocks continued to tighten, down eight percent month-over-month and six percent year-over-year, reflecting strong domestic demand.
Poultry
Frozen poultry supplies were mixed. Total stocks were slightly lower than both July and last August, with chicken inventories down two percent from July but still four percent above the previous year.
Turkey supplies increased by three percent from July but fell by eight percent from 2024 levels.
Beef & Pork
Red meat inventories were also reduced. Total freezer stocks declined by two percent from July and by seven percent from last year. Beef supplies edged one percent lower from the previous month but remained two percent above last year.
Frozen pork dropped three percent from July and 13 percent from 2024, with pork bellies sharply lower, down 25 percent from July.
Smaller cow numbers and a declining calf crop point to prolonged tight cattle supplies, limiting near-term herd rebuilding potential.
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