The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest “Cold Storage” report showed that beef, pork, chicken and turkey supplies in cold storage on Dec. 31, 2019, totaled 2.22 billion lb., up 1.4% from the same period in 2018.

Total frozen poultry supplies on Dec. 31, 2019, were at 1.20 billion lb., down 1% from the previous month but up 1% from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were down 2% from the previous month but up 9% from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 5% from last month but down 23% from Dec. 31, 2018.

Red meat supplies in freezers totaled 1.10 billion lb., up 1% from the previous month and up 5% from last year. Total beef in freezers was up 1% from the previous month but down 3% from last year. Frozen pork supplies were up 1% from the previous month and up 15% from last year. Stocks of pork bellies continue to be large, up 25% from last month and up 61% from last year.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on Dec. 31, 2019, were down 1% from the previous month and down 2% from Dec. 31, 2018. Butter stocks were up 5% from last month and up 6% from a year ago.