In the May World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, the USDA projects higher pork production as producers respond to Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) by increasing farrowings and feeding hogs to heavier weights.
The Friday report showed that a slow growth recovery of pigs per litter in the shadow of PEDV is expected to “constrain increases in available of market hogs in 2015.”
Overall, the USDA expects higher total U.S. red meat and poultry production in 2015 as higher pork and poultry production more than offset declines in beef production.
Pork supplies also reflect limited available of hogs due to the impacts of PEDv on pigs per litter; however, a decline in hog numbers may be at least partly offset by heavier carcass weights.
The report also showed higher pork exports in 2014, with a drop in import forecasts as production increases. Hog prices are seen lower than 2014 as hog supplies increase.