The latest US Cold Storage numbers reported pork stocks at 543.1 million pounds for May, climbing 9.7 million pounds from April and 80.6 million pounds over year-ago levels. For reference, total pork in cold storage for April was revised higher from 530.2 to 533.4 million pounds.
- Lessened amounts of pork in cold storage such as spare ribs, other pork, variety meats, bellies, and trimmings were offset by the seasonal surge of total hams and moderately higher picnics and unclassified pork.
- Beef in US cold storage for May fell 12.3 million pounds from the previous report, bringing beef stocks 103.2 million pounds over stocks reported last year. Notably, current beef supplies in cold storage are among the highest recorded historically.
- Boneless beef accounted for the greatest portion of the monthly move, with beef cuts only modestly lower.
- Chicken in US cold storage fell 18.9 million pounds from April stocks, bringing chicken 21.7 million over stocks reported last year.
- Significant declines in leg quarters and drumsticks accounted for the overall report-over-report reduction. Lower breast meat stocks were generally offset by increased amounts of wings and modestly higher thigh meat and quarters, legs, and other chicken
