WASHINGTON, DC – USDA’s March Cold Storage report showed leaner year-over-year supplies in several major categories, including beef, butter, and poultry. Freezer inventories generally stayed tighter heading into spring.
Total red meat supplies were down slightly from February and 2 percent below a year ago. Beef stocks fell 2 percent from the prior month and 3 percent from last year. Pork stocks rose 2 percent and were up slightly from a year earlier.
Butter stocks jumped 13 percent from the previous month but remained 11 percent below last year. Natural cheese stocks were up 1 percent from February but down 2 percent from a year ago.
Frozen poultry supplies were down slightly from the previous month and 5 percent below last year. Chicken stocks fell 3 percent from February and a year ago. Turkey supplies rose 9 percent from the month before but stayed 9 percent below last year.
Frozen fruit stocks were 4 percent above last year, while frozen vegetables were down 8 percent. Pork bellies stayed 13 percent below a year ago despite a 5 percent monthly increase.
Farm-Level Takeaway: March cold storage data showed generally tighter year-over-year stock levels across several key meat and dairy categories.