The latest US Cold Storage numbers reported pork stocks at 471.1 million pounds for August, down a modest 327 thousand pounds from July and 71.5m pounds under year-ago levels. Notably, July's cold storage amount was revised -0.6% lower from 473.8m pounds down to 470.8m pounds.
- Total hams in cold storage recorded the largest month-over-month change, rising 16.3m pounds from July stocks however down 10.0m pounds compared to last year. In contrast, bellies dropped 14.3m pounds for August to fall to the lowest recorded since last September, with current stocks 1.2m over a year earlier.
- Spare-ribs fell 8.1m pounds for August, bringing them 51.3m pounds under the same month in 2022 (an exceptional high period for the primal) , while trimmings fell 6.2m pounds on the month and is 3.0m pounds under last year. The category accounting for Other pork rose 7.4m pounds on the latest report and is 7.3m pounds under a year earlier, while unclassified pork climbed 3.4m pounds for August however is 3.7m pounds under a year earlier. Remaining pork categories recorded more moderate moves from previously reported stocks for July.
- US pork in cold storage tends to fall from August into September, as ham supplies begin to decline seasonally. Overall, pork stocks continue at lower levels compared to pre-pandemic levels.
