Meat Production to Top 100 Billion Pounds

Last year was a record-setter for the meat industry with more than 98 billion pounds across all meat and poultry.

USDA Livestock Analyst Shayle Shagam doesn’t expect that record to last beyond this year.

“We’re looking to break the 100 billion pound mark. Production will be about 101 billion pounds which is up about three percent. Again, as last year, we expect to see increases in all four species meat.

How will each meat perform? Shagam breaks it down.

“Beef will be at 26 billion pounds, about 3.1 percent higher than a year ago. That is not a record, we are still in the process of rebuilding herds. Pork will be a record at 26.2 billion pounds, up about 4.9 percent. Broiler meat at 41.5 billion pounds, up about two percent and turkey meat at 6.1 billion pounds, up about three percent.”

Shagam said that could mean lower prices for most meats, though broilers might see a small increase.