Purchase information from eastern and western Corn Belt and Iowa-Minnesota combined in single report.

The combination of a 0.6% increase in farrowings and a 2.6% increase in litter size yields a summer pig crop that is 3.2% larger than last year. This means winter hog slaughter is also likely to be up 3.2%, more or less.

China's pork producers and consumers shifting habits in reaction to African swine fever outbreak.

Although held back by China’s retaliatory duties on U.S. pork, exports to China/Hong Kong contributed mightily to the July volume and value records.

For the 180 pounds and over category, there were 13.059 million head, up 7.5% from a year ago.

Cool weather has certainly been one factor contributing to the increased weight but poor exports are likely the main factor.

Pork prices at retail in the latest reports indicate that pork prices were higher year-over-year led by bacon prices at the highest price at retail since October of 2017.