January 14, 2009

US pork production is forecast to fall 1.6 percent in 2009, to 10.5 million tonnes cwt due to reduced farrowing intentions by local producers.

The lower supply is a result of an expected 2.4 percent fall in hog and pig inventories.

Domestic pork consumption is expected to remain fairly stable, decreasing only 0.4 percent to 8.6 million tonnes cwt, according to statistics shown by the USDA.

Exports are forecast to fall 4 percent to 2.3 million tonnes cwt, due to reduced supply and lower Chinese pork demand, while shipments to other major US markets such as Japan and Mexico are expected to remain stable.

Despite the lower supply, the US is predicted to remain the third largest pork producer in 2009 after China and the EU, and the largest pork exporter followed by the EU and Canada.