WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. red meat production declined during June.
The USDA says production of 4.552 billion pounds was down 4% on the year, with beef falling 5% and pork 2% lower due to a slower pace of slaughter and lighter average live weights. Beef production was 2.335 billion pounds, with a slaughter of 2.894 million head, a decrease of 5%, and an average live weight of 1,338 pounds, 1 pound lighter. Pork was reported at 2.202 billion pounds, with a slaughter of 10.427 million head and an average live weight of 284 pounds, both 1% lower.
The total included record monthly lows for veal, lamb, and mutton production, primarily due to decreased slaughter levels.
The June dairy cow slaughter was 255,700 head, up 6,600 from May and 22,700 from June 2022. That brings the running 2023 total to 1,618,900 head, 98,300 faster than a year ago.
For the first half of 2023, U.S. red meat production is 27.286 billion pounds, 2% slower than 2022.
The USDA’s next round of annual meat production estimates is out August 11th.
