March report shows stable hog inventory with minor seasonal changes
The U.S. hog and pig population totaled 74.3 million on March 1, 2026, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report. This represents a slight increase from March 2025, but a 1% decrease compared to December 2025.
Of the total, 68.4 million were market hogs, while 5.89 million were kept for breeding purposes. Between December 2025 and February 2026, U.S. farmers weaned 33.2 million pigs, a 1% increase from the same period in 2025. The average number of pigs weaned per litter was 11.90.
Producers plan to have 2.86 million sows farrow between March and May 2026, and 2.90 million sows farrow from June through August 2026. These figures indicate stable production intentions for the coming months.
State-level inventories show Iowa leading with 24.7 million hogs, followed by Minnesota at 9.30 million, and North Carolina with 7.60 million. These states continue to play a key role in the U.S. swine industry.
To ensure accuracy, NASS surveyed 4,252 swine operators nationwide in early March. Data was collected online, by mail, telephone, and through face-to-face interviews.
The Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report provides a comprehensive view of U.S. hog production and is part of NASS’s ongoing effort to track agricultural trends. Producers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders use this information to monitor production, plan operations, and understand market trends.
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