Citing the spread of porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED) virus, the USDA lowered US pork production in its monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report.

According to Pork Network, the agency also lowered pork exports as tight supplies and high prices reduce competitiveness. The hog price forecast was raised on reduced supplies of market hogs and strong demand.

The 2014 total red meat and poultry production was lowered from January.

The report showed higher beef production more than offset by lower pork, broiler and turkey production. Beef import and exports forecasts were unchanged for 2014, and cattle prices raised.