According to CoBank’s latest Quarterly report, the U.S. pork sector remains remarkably steady, despite labor and economic headwinds.
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Stable herd and production:
As of June 1, total hogs available for market were down only 0.1% year-over-year, and the breeding herd held steady at 5.98 million head. Dressed hog weights averaged 216 pounds per head, helping secure pork supply into summer. -
Soaring prices:
Lean hog futures surpassed $112/cwt in June, the highest since July 2022. Pork carcass cutout values averaged $103/cwt in Q2, boosted by belly and ham prices—bellies surged 18.7% YoY, hams rose 6.4%. -
Strong demand, tighter inventories:
Pork cold storage inventories dropped 7% YoY, reflecting robust international demand. Domestically, USDA raised its forecast of pork disappearance from 49.9 to 50.3 pounds per capita in 2025, helped by summer grilling campaigns and pork’s appeal as a flavorful, affordable protein. -
Labor constraints:
Despite softer feed costs, herd expansion has been limited by tight processing capacity, labor shortages, and high capital costs. Automation and technology are seen as essential to help fill labor gaps across the protein sector.
📄 Full CoBank Quarterly Report PDF:
Access the full report here
