The latest US Cold Storage numbers reported pork stocks at 501.3 million pounds for April, up 38.2m pounds from March however is 66.2m pounds under year-ago levels. Notably, March's cold storage was revised -0.2% lower from 464.2m pounds down to 463.1m pounds.
Most pork categories recorded increased quantities from the previous month - most notably hams. Total hams overall in cold storage rose 24.8m pounds from March stocks as both varieties were up considerably from previously reported, while current supplies overall are 22.4m pounds under a year earlier.
The category accounting for 'Other pork' was up 3.7m pounds in April though 8.6m pounds under last year, while spare-ribs increased 3.3m pounds on the latest report and are 12.7m pounds year ago supplies. Belly stocks increased 2.2m pounds on the month though are 4.5m pounds under a year earlier, while butts were up 1.5m pounds in April and modestly under last year, and variety meats increased stocks by 1.2m pounds and is 3.5m pounds over April of 2023.
Picnics were up 867 thousand pounds though are 4.0m pounds under last year, while other pork categories reflected modestly changed stocks from those recorded for March 2024.
Competing meats in cold storage fell for the month of April. Total beef in cold storage was down 3.8m pounds from March stocks and is 21.4m pounds under last year’s supplies, while total chicken (including broilers, fryers & roasters) fell 19.7m pounds lower for April and is 85.5m pounds under a year earlier.
