SoftSignal Research
WASDE Livestock
U.S. Meats Supply and Use — Beef · Pork · Broilers · Turkey
WASDE #671 May 2026
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U.S. Meat Complex Overview
Total Red Meat & Poultry — production trend and per-species per capita consumption
Total Production 2026
108,003 M lbs
Red Meat & Poultry combined
Per Capita 2026
231.6 lbs
Total meat use per person
Exports 2026
16,671 M lbs
All meats combined
Imports 2026
7,815 M lbs
Foreign competition
Beef
U.S. cattle cycle — herd liquidation ongoing, supply tightening through 2026
Production 2026
25,616 M lbs
-455 vs 2025 (-1.7%)
26th pct
Per Capita 2026
60.0 lbs
vs normal: 95th pct
95th pct
Imports 2026
6,109 M lbs
competition from abroad
Exports 2026
2,361 M lbs
demand from global buyers
Attribute 2026 (current) 2025 (prior yr) MoM revision
Production25,616 M lbs26,071 M lbs▼ -241
Imports6,109 M lbs5,471 M lbs▲ +319
Total Supply32,301 M lbs32,143 M lbs▲ +78
Total Use29,380 M lbs28,990 M lbs▲ +72
Exports2,361 M lbs2,577 M lbs▼ -4
Per Capita60 lbs59 lbs—
Ending Stocks560 M lbs577 M lbs▲ +10
Pork
Hog production relatively stable — exports to Asia and Mexico the demand driver
Production 2026
28,001 M lbs
+408 vs 2025 (+1.5%)
90th pct
Per Capita 2026
49.6 lbs
vs normal: 37th pct
37th pct
Imports 2026
1,138 M lbs
competition from abroad
Exports 2026
7,232 M lbs
demand from global buyers
Attribute 2026 (current) 2025 (prior yr) MoM revision
Production28,001 M lbs27,593 M lbs▲ +12
Imports1,138 M lbs1,116 M lbs▼ -12
Total Supply29,569 M lbs29,145 M lbs—
Total Use21,902 M lbs21,745 M lbs▼ -37
Exports7,232 M lbs6,970 M lbs▲ +32
Per Capita50 lbs49 lbs—
Ending Stocks435 M lbs430 M lbs▲ +5
Broiler (Chicken)
Largest single protein by volume — per capita demand trending higher
Production 2026
48,620 M lbs
+1,127 vs 2025 (+2.4%)
95th pct
Per Capita 2026
105.6 lbs
vs normal: 95th pct
95th pct
Imports 2026
141 M lbs
competition from abroad
Exports 2026
6,599 M lbs
demand from global buyers
Attribute 2026 (current) 2025 (prior yr) MoM revision
Production48,620 M lbs47,493 M lbs▲ +243
Imports141 M lbs152 M lbs▲ +10
Total Supply49,547 M lbs48,406 M lbs▲ +253
Total Use42,163 M lbs40,948 M lbs▲ +249
Exports6,599 M lbs6,672 M lbs▲ +4
Per Capita106 lbs103 lbs▲ +1
Ending Stocks785 M lbs786 M lbs—
Turkey
Seasonal demand concentrated in Q4 — avian influenza risk key supply variable
Production 2026
5,055 M lbs
+211 vs 2025 (+4.4%)
10th pct
Per Capita 2026
13.6 lbs
vs normal: 10th pct
10th pct
Imports 2026
36 M lbs
competition from abroad
Exports 2026
429 M lbs
demand from global buyers
Attribute 2026 (current) 2025 (prior yr) MoM revision
Production5,055 M lbs4,844 M lbs▲ +100
Imports36 M lbs38 M lbs▼ -4
Total Supply5,265 M lbs5,101 M lbs▲ +95
Total Use4,652 M lbs4,501 M lbs▲ +97
Exports429 M lbs425 M lbs▼ -1
Per Capita14 lbs13 lbs—
Ending Stocks185 M lbs175 M lbs—
WASDE Livestock · SoftSignal LLC · Hub Supplement WASDE #671 · May 2026
Data: USDA WASDE "U.S. Meats Supply and Use" via OCE-WAOB. All values in million pounds unless noted. This report is for informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. SoftSignal LLC is not a registered investment advisor.