The latest US Cold Storage numbers reported pork stocks at 450.7 million pounds for July, down 24.2m pounds from June and 20.1m pounds under year-ago levels. Notably, June's cold storage was revised +0.8% higher from 470.9m pounds up to 474.9m pounds.
Many pork categories recorded decreased quantities from the previous month - most notably the seasonal drop in bellies. Belly stocks fell 18.4m pounds from June quantities and are 8.5m pounds under last year. The category accounting for Other pork as well as trimmings each fell 5.2m pounds from previously reported, however Other pork is 1.1m pounds over a year earlier while trimmings are down 10.0m pounds under year ago stocks. Spare-ribs and variety meats each declined 2.9m pounds on the month, with spare-ribs 5.1m pounds under last year and variety meats up 4.5m pounds compared to the year previous. Bone-in picnics fell 1.1m pounds in July, bringing them 3.7m pounds under a year earlier, while butts and unclassified pork recorded more modest moves lower from June stocks.
Only hams and loins recorded increased quantities from previously reported for June. Total hams overall in cold storage rose 11.0m pounds from June stocks, with the bone-in variety surging 12.4m pounds and slightly tempered by a 1.4m pound decline in boneless hams, while current supplies overall 1.6m pounds over a year earlier. Total loin stocks climbed 731 thousand pounds in July, with bone-in loins up 1.6m pounds and boneless down 847 thousand pounds, bringing current supplies overall 244 thousand pounds under year ago cold storage stocks.
Competing meats in cold storage varied for the month of July. Total beef in cold storage was down modestly, slipping 799 thousand pounds from June stocks and is 3.3m pounds under last year's supplies, while total chicken (including broilers, fryers & roasters) rose 11.3m pounds for July and is 88.5m pounds under a year earlier.
