USDA May 2020 Livestock Outlook: Meatpacking Disruptions Limit Beef Production
By USDA Economic Research Service | May 18, 2020
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Forward-looking note: this summary may reference forecasts, estimates, or market expectations for informational purposes and is not indicative of future results.
May’s report explained how COVID‑19 outbreaks among meat‑processing workers dramatically curtailed beef production in April. Slaughter disruptions were expected to restrain supply through the summer, although a rebound was forecast for 2021. Tight domestic supplies and global uncertainty lowered export projections , providing context for investors concerned about supply constraints.
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