Data from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, along with statistics from the USDA’s Economic Research Service, show forecasts for US total per capita red meat and poultry consumption to continue rising through next year.
Declines in consumption of chicken and turkey could come next year, but beef and pork consumption was projected to continue growing.
The data was compiled by the Livestock Marketing Information Center in Denver, Col., and shows government forecasts for consumption of beef, pork, chicken and turkey on a retail weight basis. The data even stretches into next year.
Total red meat and poultry consumption this year was estimated at 217.75 pounds, up 2.51 pounds, or 1.17%, from 215.24 last year. Next year, total red meat and poultry consumption could rise to 217.78 pounds, a 0.03-pound, or 0.01%, gain from this year.
That would be the highest annual per capita red meat and poultry consumption since 2007 when it was 220.13 pounds.
Total 2018 annual beef consumption was pegged at 57.97 pounds, up 1.09 pounds, or 1.92%, from 56.88 pounds last year but 0.40 pound, or 0.69%, less than 2019’s estimated 58.37 pounds.
Total 2018 annual per capita pork consumption was estimated at 51.18 pounds, up 1.11 pounds, or 2.22%, from 50.07 pounds last year but 0.88 pound, or 1.72%, below the 2019 estimate of 52.06 pounds.
Total 2018 annual per capita chicken consumption was forecast at 92.57 pounds, up 0.46 pound, or 0.50%, from 92.11 pounds last year and 0.97 pound, or 1.05%, above the 2019 estimate of 91.60 pounds.
Total turkey consumption this year was expected to come to 16.02 pounds per person, down 0.16 pound, or o.99%, from 16.18 pounds last year but 0.27 pound, or 1.69% above the 2019 estimate of 15.75 pounds.
RED MEAT CONSUMPTION KEEPS CLIMBING
Whether it’s from abundant supplies, a rising economy or whatever, annual per capita red meat consumption continues to rise. USDA data show.
After bottoming at 101.21 pounds in 2014, total US per capita red meat consumption has continued to expand steadily. Last year’s consumption amounted to 108.23 pounds, up 7.02 pounds, or 6.94%, from the 2014 low and up 1.41 pound, or 1.32%, from 106.82 pounds in 2016.
Per capita red meat consumption this year was estimated at 110.45 pounds, up 2.22 pounds, or 2.05%, from 2017 but 1.27 pounds, or 1.15%, below the 2019 estimate of 111.72 pounds.
POULTRY CONSUMPTION SEEN STRUGGLING
Annual per capita retail weight of poultry consumption was expected to struggle a bit over the next couple of years, mostly because of declines in turkey consumption.
Chicken consumption could rise this year and dip next year, but turkey consumption was seen down in both years.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
No cattle sold Wednesday on the Livestock Exchange Video Auction, compared with sales three weeks previous at $122.40 per cwt.
Cash cattle trading started last week at $117 per cwt on a live basis on Tuesday and then dipped to $115 to $116 on Wednesday, down $5 to $7 from the previous week. Thursday, sales were reported at $115 to $116. Dressed-basis trades were reported at $184 to $185 per cwt, down $8.50 to $9.50.
The USDA choice cutout Thursday was down $1.08 per cwt at $229.00, while select was off $0.11 at $204.93. The choice/select spread narrowed to $24.07 from $25.04 with 119 loads of fabricated product sold into the spot market.
The CME Feeder Cattle index for the seven days ended Wednesday, was $134.44 per cwt, up $1.01. This compares with Thursday’s May settlement of $136.40, up $1.50.