News

Hurt says pork outlook not as bleak as he thought

An ag economist says the outlook for pork prices isn’t as bleak as he thought.

Chris Hurt with Purdue University told Brownfield last month pork producers could face losses this fall that haven’t been seen since the late 1990’s.

“The outlook is still suggesting losses this fall and winter, but much less than in August.”

Hurt is now forecasting losses of $10 to $20 dollars per-head this fall and winter, and then profits of $5 to $10 dollars next spring and summer.

He points to positive export developments with Mexico, Japan, and South Korea.

“Needless to say, the pork outlook has improved with considerable uncertainties remaining.”

Those uncertainties center on China, as the trade dispute continues and the Chinese attempt to control African Swine Fever.

Hurt says one certainty is that pork supplies will be at record levels, and an expanding U.S. hog herd probably cannot be sustained.