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
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