Executive Summary

U.S. cattle & hog production figures provided by the USDA were recently updated with values spanning through Apr ’21. Highlights from the updated report include:

• Apr ’21 U.S. commercial red meat production increased 21.8% on a YOY basis, reaching a record high seasonal level.
• U.S. pork production increased 15.4% on a YOY basis throughout Apr ’21, reaching a record high seasonal level. The total number of hogs slaughtered increased 14.9% on a YOY basis throughout Apr ’21, finishing above previous year figures for the first time in the past eight months.
• U.S. beef production increased 29.1% on a YOY basis throughout Apr ’21, reaching a record high seasonal level. The total number of cattle slaughtered increased 27.1% on a YOY basis throughout the month.

Additional Report Details

Total Red Meat – Production Reaches a Record High Seasonal Level, up 21.8% YOY

According to the USDA, Apr ’21 U.S. commercial red meat production increased 21.8% on a YOY basis when normalizing for slaughter days, reaching a record high seasonal level. Red meat production was reduced significantly throughout April of 2020 as several major packing plants were closed due to COVID-19. Apr ’21 red meat production finished 3.4% above 2019 seasonal levels.

’19-’20 annual red meat production finished 1.5% higher on a YOY basis, reaching a record high level for the fourth consecutive year. ’20-’21 YTD red meat production has increased by an additional 2.3% on a YOY basis throughout the first seven months of the production season.

Total 12-month rolling average red meat production remained above trendline for the 44^th consecutive month throughout Apr ’21. The most recent deviation from trendline was the second largest experienced on record.

Pork – Production Reaches a Record High Seasonal Level, up 15.4% YOY

Apr ’21 U.S. pork production increased 15.4% on a YOY basis when normalizing for slaughter days, reaching a record high seasonal level. The Apr ’21 total number of hogs slaughtered increased 14.9% YOY throughout the month while average weights per head finished 0.3% above previous year figures. The YOY increase in the number of hogs slaughtered was the first experienced throughout the past eight months. Apr ’21 pork production finished 3.3% above 2019 seasonal levels.

’19-’20 annual pork production finished 3.3% higher on a YOY basis, reaching a record high level for the sixth consecutive year. ’20-’21 YTD pork production has increased by an additional 1.3% on a YOY basis throughout the first seven months of the production season.

Beef – Production Reaches a Record High Seasonal Level, up 29.1% YOY

Apr ’21 U.S. beef production increased 29.1% on a YOY basis when normalizing for slaughter days, reaching a record high seasonal level. The Apr ’21 total number of cattle slaughtered increased 27.1% YOY throughout the month while average weights per head finished 1.0% above previous year figures. Apr ’21 beef production finished 3.7% above 2019 seasonal levels.

’19-’20 annual beef production declined 0.2% on a YOY basis from the 16 year high level experienced throughout the previous production season. ’20-’21 YTD beef production has rebounded by 3.4% on a YOY basis throughout the first seven months of the production season and is on pace to reach a record high annual level.