U.S. Poultry Slaughter Volume Drops

WASHINGTON - Apr 26/10 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome within March 2010 (ready-to-cook weight) totalled 3.70 billion pounds, up 5% from the quantity certified in March 2009, judging from the latest USDA update on the sector.

The February 2010 revised certified total at 3.21 billion pounds, was up somewhat from February 2009. The February revision represented an increase of 8.1 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during March 2010 was 4.92 billion pounds, up 4% from 4.71 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.22 billion pounds, up 5% from March 2009. Mature chickens, at 69.6 million pounds, were up 2% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 613 million pounds, up 4% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 13.6 million pounds, up 2% from a year ago.

Young chickens slaughtered during March 2010 averaged 5.64 pounds per bird, up 2% from March 2009. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.46 pounds per bird, down 6% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during March 2010 averaged 29.6 pounds per bird, up 1% from March 2009.

Ante-mortem condemnations during March 2010 totalled 12.0 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.24% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.28% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 38.5 million pounds, were 1.03% of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.15% a year earlier.