Source: Chris Hurt, FARM PROGRESS, 2/27/19


Winter temperatures and hog prices were both low earlier this year. Hog prices got off to a bad start, as they were sharply lower than last year’s levels. In the first quarter, prices for 51% to 52% lean carcasses averaged about $55 per hundred pounds of carcass. This compares with about $66 for the first quarter a year before. Pork supplies will be at record highs again this year, and trade restrictions remained in place early in 2019. USDA estimates that pork supplies will be up 4% this year. My estimates are a bit more modest, at a 3% increase.

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