Most recent USDA projections have 2022 pork production down about 1.6% from a year earlier, with 2023 production up about a half of a percent.
July 6, 2022
Almost every number in USDA's most recent Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report was down from a year ago, but by only 1% or less. The spring quarter pig crop, at 32.9 million head, was down 1% from the same March through May period a year ago. Likewise, sows farrowed during that same period were down 1%.
The breeding inventory June 1 was about 6.2 million head down, a decrease of 1%, and the total June 1 inventory of all hogs and pigs, at 72.5 million head, was down from last year by 1%.
As for production over the next year, the report says producers intend to have just over 3 million sows farrow during the summer quarter, and about the same for the fall quarter, with both figures 1% below a year ago.
"The watchword is probably uncertainty,"