Stability of the US pig population

The pig population was 74.51 million heads, down 0.2% from the previous year. This is 179,000 animals less than the previous year. The reduction in the number of breeding animals was also quite moderate, down 0.6% to 5.98 million heads.

The USDA also reported last week that U.S. pork producers plan to farrow 2.91 million sows between March and May 2025, down 0.2% from the same period last year.

The sow population is expected to reach 2.96 million heads in the period from June to August 2025, down 0.8% from the same period last year.

From December 2024 to February 2025, an average of 11.65 piglets were weaned per litter, an increase of 0.12 animals or 1.0% compared to the previous year.