The U.S. inventory of all hogs and pigs came in at 75.5 million head as of June 1. According to the USDA Hogs and Pigs Report, that’s a four percent increase from the same time last year, as well as a one percent rise from March 1.
Breeding inventory rose one percent from both last year and the previous quarter, coming in at just over 6.4 million head. Market hog inventory was 69.1 million head, four percent higher than in 2018 and one percent higher than last quarter. That number is actually the highest June first market hog inventory since estimates began in 1964.
The March-May 2019 pig herd was 34.2 million head, up four percent from last year, it’s the highest level since estimates began in 1970. Supplies of hogs and pigs are swelling amid strong domestic and international demand. However, China is a bit of a wildcard as the country deals with a shrinking herd from African Swine Fever, all while they’re engaged in trade disputes with both the United States and Canada.