U.S. red meat and poultry production will climb by 2.3 billion pounds in 2019 from this year’s level, says the first USDA forecasts of meat production for the coming year. Pork output will be up by nearly 3 percent, a substantial increase, to 28 billion pounds, aided by an expansion of slaughter capacity. Five new processing plants opened recently or will soon begin operations.
The USDA estimates that broiler production will rise by 2.3 percent and beef by 1.8 percent in 2019. Lamb production would hold steady and veal would decrease by 2.1 percent. Broilers and turkeys together account for 47 percent of U.S. meat production. Beef production is slightly higher than pork.
With the upturn in production, Americans are expected to consume more meat. The USDA estimates per capita consumption of 223.7 pounds in 2019, up by 3.3 pounds per person from this year, which itself is up by 3.6 pounds per person from 216.8 pounds in 2017.