Lower than expected Q3 slaughter and a dip in average dressed weights has pushed the USDA’s Economic Research Service to lower second-half 2024 pork production by about 85 million pounds. Q4 pork production remains unchanged from last month. Total pork production for 2024 is forecast at 28 billion pounds, up 2.8% from last year, according to the Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook for August 2024.

Meanwhile weak demand has continued from key importing countries, leading the ERS to reduce both 2024 and 2025 export expectations.