Pig outlook—March 19: Lean hog futures trading turns choppy, sideways

Mar 24, 2025

The lean hog futures market the past two weeks has seen choppy and sideways trading action. Some mild technical selling pressure has occurred this week after prices Monday challenged stiff overhead resistance but could not push above it. Also weighing on futures prices at mid-week is news last week’s hog slaughter levels broke a string of year-to-year reductions that began in late January, as last week’s preliminary kill total was up about 2.4% from year-ago. Limiting selling interest in futures this week is news the National Pork Producers Council said all 300-plus U.S. pork harvesting and cold storage facilities have successfully renewed their registrations to export to China. This five-year renewal ensures continued market access to China for U.S. pork producers. The latest CME lean hog index is up 4 cents to $89.32 as of March 17, ending the string of recent losses.

Latest USDA and other news regarding the global pork industry

U.S. pork exports to China fully restored

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) announced that all 300+ U.S. pork harvesting and cold storage facilities have successfully renewed their registrations to export to China. This five-year renewal, achieved through negotiations by USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative, ensures continued market access for U.S. pork producers.

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Video: What It Takes to Stop African Swine Fever - Dr. Jishu Shi

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Jishu Shi, Professor of Vaccine Immunology at Kansas State University, discusses African swine fever prevention and vaccine development. He explains why ASF differs from classical swine fever and swine influenza, how the disease threatens trade and pork production, why immunization safety remains a critical hurdle, and what producers can do now to reduce the risk of introduction. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Before a safe and efficacious vaccine for ASF can be commercialized, what we really have is prevention."

Meet the guest: Dr. Jishu Shi is Professor of Vaccine Immunology and the Dr. Wayne & Hilda Appleton Endowed Professor at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He directs the Center on Biologics Development and Evaluation and the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health. A veterinarian and vaccine immunologist, Dr. Shi has focused on vaccines for pigs and has worked on African swine fever vaccine development, control, diagnostics, and international training since 2018. Learn more from Dr. Jishu Shi on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.