Less US beef to offset increases in other meats in 2023
Total poultry disappearance projected 115.3 pounds per capita
20 September 2022
2 minute read
By: In 2023, US consumers can anticipate greater availability of pork, broiler meat, and turkey, but less beef is expected, according to a Market Outlook report from the USDA's Economic Research Service.
The amount used by the domestic market on a per person basis, including in grocery stores and restaurants, is defined as per capita disappearance. USDA calculates per capita meat disappearance—a proxy measure of consumption—as a residual measure of supply (the sum of production, beginning stocks, and imports minus the sum of exports and ending stocks) divided by the total US population. Although per capita disappearance factors in trade, it largely reflects domestic supplies, and it does not account for food waste or use such as pet food.
Total poultry disappearance is projected to be 115.3 pounds per capita, up 1.2% in the 11th consecutive year of record broiler production and following the recovery of turkey production from the impact of avian influenza.
Red meat disappearance is forecast at 109.5 pounds per capita, down 1.6%, as lower beef supplies offset an increase in projected pork production.
The figure below shows the retail weight per capita disappearance for beef, pork, broiler meat, and turkey from 2010 to 2021, with forecast values for 2022 and 2023. Beef per capita for 2023 is expected to decline by almost 3 pounds, while pork is expected to climb about 1 pound per person. Disappearance of broiler meat is projected to increase about half a pound, a slower pace than in previous years, and turkey will rise over 1 pound, the first increase in 7 years.
