U.S. Poultry Slaughter Volume Drops

WASHINGTON - Aug 26/13 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Aug 26/13 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome within July 2013 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.85 billion pounds, up 5% from the quantity certified in July 2012, shows the current USDA update on the sector, shows the current USDA update on the sector.

The June 2013 revised certified total at 3.53 billion pounds, was down 4% from June 2012. The June revision represented an gain of 894 thousand pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during July 2013 was 5.10 billion pounds, up 5% from 4.87 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected quantityed to 4.37 billion pounds, up 5% from July 2012. Mature chickens, at 68.3 million pounds, were down 1% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 643 million pounds, up 3% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 14.3 million pounds, up 15% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during July 2013 averaged 5.84 pounds per bird, up 1% from July 2012. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.86 pounds per bird, down 4% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during July 2013 averaged 29.7 pounds per bird, up 2% from July 2012.

Ante-mortem condemnations during July 2013 totalled 10.8 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.21% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.24% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 33.9 million pounds, were 0.87% of quantities inspected, as compared to 0.88% a year earlier.