Pig numbers down in the United States

The United States’ pig population was 72.2 million head on 1 March 2022, 2% lower than a year ago, and down 3% compared to 1 December 2021, according to the USDA. The breeding herd also fell by 2%, to 6.1 million head. This is also down slightly from the previous quarter.

The market pigs (those intended for slaughter) also fell by 2%, to 66.1 million head, and the number of pigs born between December 2021 and February 2022 was 31.7 million head, down only 1% from the same period a year before. Sows farrowing during this period totalled 2.9 million head, down 1% from the previous year.

In its March outlook, the USDA reduced the 2022 pork production forecast by a modest 29,500 tonnes (-0.25%) from its February projection, to 12.4 million tonnes. This was because of lower-than-expected February slaughter numbers. It expects higher average carcase weights in the second half of the year, but recognises evidence of elevated disease risks, also later in the year. “High mortality rates of currently circulating PRRS variants may have reduced available slaughter-ready hogs in February, intensifying the price response from the year-over-year lower summer 2021 pig crop”. Pig prices had been rising in any case due to strong domestic pork demand.

The forecast for US pork exports in the first and second quarters of 2022 was also reduced, due to weaker demand prospects in major importing regions. In 2022 as a whole, the USDA expects US pork exports to be 3.05 million tonnes, 4.3 % below last year.

Subscribe to receive pork market news straight to your inbox. Simply complete our online form.

While AHDB seeks to ensure that the information contained on this webpage is accurate at the time of publication, no warranty is given in respect of the information and data provided. You are responsible for how you use the information. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AHDB accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused or suffered (including that caused by negligence) directly or indirectly in relation to the information or data provided in this publication.

All intellectual property rights in the information and data on this webpage belong to or are licensed by AHDB. You are authorised to use such information for your internal business purposes only and you must not provide this information to any other third parties, including further publication of the information, or for commercial gain in any way whatsoever without the prior written permission of AHDB for each third party disclosure, publication or commercial arrangement. For more information, please see our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice or contact the Director of Corporate Affairs at info@ahdb.org.uk  © Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. All rights reserved.