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 cutout value has struggled. After reaching nearly $100/cwt recently, the value averaged $92.63 last week and was moving lower this week. Lower cutouts are pressuring hog prices. Feeder pig prices continue to come off recent highs with early-weaned pigs bringing $49.20 last week. The 40-pound price was not quoted. The average retail price of pork in March was $4.95/pound compared to $4.83/pound in February. Pork production estimates were lowered in the latest WASDE report. Factors included expectations for lower carcass weights, lower pig crops than previously reported, and indications of lower farrowings through much of 2025.
The estimated harvest for last week was 2.492 million head. This was 22,000 fewer than the previous week and 11,000 more than a year ago. Weekly net export sales totaled 20,500 metric tons, 14% lower than the previous week and 35% lower than the prior four-week average. Increases were primarily for Japan and Mexico.
