Washington, D.C. (RFD News) —U.S. red meat production fell sharply in May as cattle and hog slaughter slowed, keeping attention on tight supplies and meat-market price support.
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service says commercial red meat production totaled 4.10 billion pounds in May, down 6 percent from a year earlier. Beef production fell 8 percent to 1.95 billion pounds.
Cattle slaughter totaled 2.18 million head, down 11 percent from May 2025. Heavier animals offset part of that decline, with average live weights up 42 pounds to 1,464 pounds.
Pork production totaled 2.14 billion pounds, down 4 percent. Hog slaughter fell 6 percent to 9.81 million head, while average live weights rose 3 pounds to 292 pounds.
Cold storage data showed total red meat supplies down 1 percent from last year. Beef stocks were also down 1 percent, while pork supplies and pork belly stocks were slightly higher.
