Yesterday, the USDA released its monthly World Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE), forecasting tighter beef and pork supplies and growing broiler supplies, resulting in a tighter red meat supply. Broiler production, however, continues to grow and is forecast to be up more than 3 percent.
Beef production is lowered due to reduced fed cattle slaughter through the end of the year. Cow slaughter, due to herd rebuilding and retention of cows, is also reduced for the remainder of the year. Pork production is reduced based on official data reported for the first half of the year, as well as a slower slaughter rate and slightly lighter carcass weights in the third quarter. Broiler production is raised, reflecting recent slaughter data. For 2027,...
Key Takeaways: The U.S. sheep industry is contracting. Lamb output and producer participation have declined sharply. Imports now account for most U.S. lamb consumption. Their roughly 70 percent share raises concerns about domestic capacity and resilience. USTR’s referral carries substant...
