US red meat production declines in October 2025
Pork shows slight growth while beef and veal production drop sharply.
USA – US commercial red meat production in October reached 4.89 billion pounds, down 3% from 5.02 billion pounds in the same month last year, according to the latest data from the US Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Pork production accounted for 2.55 billion pounds during National Pork Month, reflecting a marginal increase of 0.35% compared with October 2024.
The number of hogs slaughtered decreased to 11.8 million head, representing a 1% drop from the previous year, though the average live weight rose by three pounds to 290 pounds.
Iowa saw a small increase in hog slaughter, up 0.42% to 3.66 million head, while Illinois recorded a decline of 4.22% to 1.1 million head, and Minnesota experienced a 1.3% reduction to 1.074 million head.
Federal inspections show hog slaughter decreased by 0.68% to 11.772 million head, with barrows and gilts making up 11.489 million, sows at 261,000, and boars at 21,000.
Beef production fell to 2.33 billion pounds, marking a 6% reduction from the same month last year, alongside an 8% drop in cattle slaughter to 2.63 million head, though average live weights increased by 30 pounds to 1,448 pounds.
Veal output fell sharply to 2.0 million pounds, a decline of 39% from October 2024, as calf slaughter totaled 9,600 head, down 44% from the previous year, while average live weight rose by 29 pounds to 358 pounds.
Looking at the year-to-date figures for January through October 2025, total commercial red meat production reached 44.6 billion pounds, down 3% compared with the same period in 2024, with beef production falling 4% and veal dropping 38%.
Pork output for the ten-month period decreased by 1%, whereas lamb and mutton production recorded a modest increase of 1% compared to last year.
Overall, the data reflects mixed trends across the US red meat sector, with pork showing slight growth while beef and veal continue to face declines in production.
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