WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — The latest Cold Storage Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) showed mixed inventory signals to close 2025, with red meat supplies building month to month while remaining lower than a year ago, and dairy stocks moving in opposite directions as butter tightened further. The report suggests near-term supply pressure in some meat categories, while reduced butter stocks may offer support to dairy pricing.
Total red meat supplies in freezers on December 31 were up 4 percent from the prior month but down 3 percent from a year earlier. Beef stocks increased 3 percent month to month but were still 4 percent below last year. Pork inventories rose 5 percent from November yet remained 2 percent below a year ago, indicating seasonal stocking without a broad year-over-year build.
Within pork, belly stocks stood out. USDA reported pork bellies up 74 percent from the previous month and 8 percent higher than a year earlier, a sharp late-year increase that could influence pricing dynamics for bacon-related demand into early 2026.
Dairy inventories were split. Natural cheese stocks were up 1 percent from November and up 1 percent from a year earlier, suggesting a steady supply. Butter stocks, however, fell 5 percent from the prior month and were down 7 percent year over year, tightening available supplies.
Frozen poultry supplies edged higher from November but remained lower than last year, with chicken stocks up year over year while turkey inventories stayed sharply reduced compared with December 2024. Frozen vegetables continued to tighten, down both month-to-month and year-over-year.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Meat stocks rose seasonally but remain below last year overall, while tighter butter inventories could support dairy prices, and belly stocks bear watching for pork markets.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
Midland County Junior Livestock Show in West Texas features swine competition with top exhibitors, including Grand Champion Brinley Wilson, ahead of Saturday’s premium sale.
January 15, 2026 04:07 PM
·
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig discusses market conditions, policy priorities, and his outlook for agriculture moving forward.
January 15, 2026 01:36 PM
·
Congressman Dusty Johnson of South Dakota joined us to discuss key ag policy developments and his outlook for agriculture in 2026.
January 15, 2026 12:51 PM
·
House Agriculture Committee Democrats are calling for action on the Farm and Family Relief Act, warning that proposed SNAP cost shifts to states could reduce food assistance for low-income families amid ongoing tariffs and trade disruptions that continue to strain U.S. farmers.
January 15, 2026 12:30 PM
·
Record ethanol production and improving blending demand continue to support corn usage despite rising short-term inventories.
January 15, 2026 11:47 AM
·
Tight beef cow supplies and steady demand point to continued record-level cull cow prices in 2026.
January 15, 2026 11:23 AM
·
Expanded school access to whole milk provides modest but reliable demand support for U.S. dairy producers.
January 15, 2026 10:14 AM
·
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 agenda centers on labor stability, biosecurity, and economic resilience for family farms. Expanded DMC coverage improves risk protection for dairy operations facing tighter margins.
January 14, 2026 11:19 AM
·
A high-stakes legal case in a South Dakota federal court concerning misleading country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL), such as “Product of the USA,” on food products, will significantly impact U.S. agricultural policy for years to come.
January 14, 2026 09:00 AM
·
