Prepared and written by Jeff Swenson, DATCP Livestock and Meat Specialist. The Market Update draws information from several sources, including trade publications, radio broadcasts, agricultural news services, individuals involved in the industry as well as USDA NASS and AMS reports.
The pork complex has gained momentum during the past two weeks. The pork cutout value was $2.26 higher last week, averaging $98.49. The cutout was over $101 last Friday and has been able to hold that level. Cash hogs were 86 cents higher last week with the carcass base price averaging $91.16/cwt. The early summer rally that is typically expected in the pork market didn’t happen. However, there is evidence that it is just happening later than normal. The USDA estimated 2.369 million hogs were harvested last week, and that is 395,000 more than the holiday impacted packer schedule last week and 29,000 more than the same week last year. Last week’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report left pork production expectations unchanged at 1.4% higher than last year. Broiler production is expected to be 3.2% higher than in 2025. The increase in chicken on the market could pressure pork prices. Hog weights have been decreasing, averaging 289 pounds last week. Forty-pound feeder pigs averaged $78.97/head last week with early weaned pigs averaging $47.71/head.
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