Current Situation in US Pork Production: Analysis and Forecasts

Of the total hogs and piglets, 68.5 million are commercial hogs and 5.98 million are kept for breeding. Interestingly, despite the overall decline in the herd, the number of piglets weaned per litter has increased. Between December 2024 and February 2025, 33.7 million hogs were weaned on U.S. farms , down 0.2% from the same period last year. However, the average number of piglets per sow per litter increased to 11.65, up 1% from last year (11.53 piglets).

Hog Producer Plans

U.S. hog producers are active in their farrowing plans. They plan to farrow 2.91 million sows between March and May 2025 and 2.96 million sows between June and August. This shows that despite the current decline in the herd, producers are confident in the future and plan to increase pork production.

Regional characteristics

The largest hog population is concentrated in a few key states. The leader in hog production is Iowa, where there are 24.3 million heads. Minnesota is second with 9.2 million heads, and North Carolina is third with 8.1 million heads. These regions occupy an important place in the pork supply chain, and their performance directly affects the market as a whole.

Forecasts and challenges

Given the current trends, it can be expected that producers will strive to optimize their processes to cope with the challenges associated with the decline in the herd. An important aspect will be the introduction of modern technologies in pig production, which will increase productivity and improve animal HEALTH . In addition, disease resistance and improved genetics of pigs will play a key role in the future development of the industry.

Overall, despite current challenges, the U.S. pork industry remains an important part of the agricultural sector, and producers are working to ensure a stable supply of pork in domestic and international markets.