Total meat production surged in December, with production of all major meat species higher than the year before. It was a sharp contrast to the rest of the year, in which less beef and pork were produced than in 2024, reports David Anderson, Texas A&M Extension economist in a recent Southern Ag Today e-newsletter.
Red meat production, led by beef and pork, normally increases seasonally, from summer to fall.
This year was no exception as both increased seasonally over that period. Beef and pork production in December were 0.5% and 3.9% larger than in December 2024, respectively. Larger December beef production may surprise some, given the talk all year of tighter beef supplies, but steer dressed weights surged to new record highs, over 980 lb. per head, leading to larger beef production. Heavier barrow and gilt dressed weights than a year ago helped boost pork production, as well.
For the year, red meat production was 1.9% less, about 1 billion lb., than in 2024. Beef production was down about 3.3%, and pork production was almost 0.5% smaller. About 1% more lamb was produced in 2025.
For the third consecutive year, more pork than beef was produced.
Poultry Production
While red meat production declined, young chickens (broilers) expanded its share of total meat production. Broiler and turkey production increased 4.0% and 8.4%, respectively, in December compared to last December. Less expensive feed and higher wholesale broiler meat prices earlier in the year contributed profits to fuel increased production.
The late increase in turkey production might be considered “too little, too late” for the whole bird market since it was after Thanksgiving, and it followed on the heels of increasing production in the second half of the year.
For the year, 3.5% (1.9 billion lb.) more broiler meat was produced than in 2024. Turkey production was down about 122 million lb. On balance, increasing poultry production offset declining red meat production, leading to an increase in total meat production of about 800 million lb.
The new year should bring more poultry production from both broilers and turkeys. Beef production will continue to decline, and pork may see a little increase in production.
I was asked recently if we are “running out of meat” during a discussion of declining beef production and high prices. The quick and correct answer is “no!” But, production market shares are changing.
A note on data: this article uses weekly meat and poultry production. In much of our agricultural data, weeks don’t equal months. The first day of a month may fall mid-week and end mid-week so that data for a week’s production will include some in one month and some in another. But, the monthly data released by USDA won’t dramatically affect the discussion above.
