WASHINGTON – Total frozen red meat stocks on Dec. 31 were up 10% from a year ago while frozen poultry supplies were up 16%, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest Cold Storage report.

Red meat stocks in freezers on Dec. 31 totaled 1,061 million lbs, up 10% from a year earlier, the U.S.D.A. said. Supplies of frozen beef totaled 482 million lbs, about even with the year-ago level. Frozen pork stocks were 549 million lbs, up 20% from a year ago. Stocks of frozen pork bellies were 52 million lbs, down 6% from 2007.

Frozen poultry stocks totaled 1,164 million lbs, up 16% from Dec. 31, 2007. Total frozen chicken stocks were 764 million lbs, up 3% from a year ago. Turkey stocks were 398 million lbs, up 53%.

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