World: USDA adjusts 2025 beef production estimates downward

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) revised downward its estimates for total meat production for 2025, according to the December World Agricultural Supply and Demand Outlook (WASDE) report. The combined projection was reduced by 591 million pounds, to an expected total of 107.863 billion pounds. Changes in projections by type of meat The estimate for beef was cut by 615 million pounds, to 25.665 billion pounds. Pork, meanwhile, decreased by 30 million pounds, to 28.370 billion pounds. In contrast, chicken production increased by 75 million pounds, reaching a total of 47.925 billion pounds. However, turkey production was reduced by 20 million pounds, to 5.145 billion pounds. Factors behind the adjustments The reduction in beef production is directly related to restrictions on the import of live cattle from Mexico, due to the detection of screwworm in Chiapas. This situation impacts the cattle herd in feedlots in the United States. In the case of pork, the adjustment ...