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Profit margins vary for pork producers

An ag economist says pork producers have seen varying levels of profitability in 2025.

Lee Schulz is with Ever.Ag. “With a range of about a $3 per head loss that we’ve seen back in January to some of the highest profits that that we’re going to potentially come into here during the summer months at the heights of about $58 per head,” he says.

He says projected per-head profits are more modest for 2026. “Currently about $8 per head profit with a range of about $21.00 per head loss to about a $29.00 per head profit,” he says.

The USDA’s latest Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report was very close to pre-report expectations.  If numbers tighten, prices could push higher.  But input costs, broader economic factors, and demand strength will continue to impact profitability.