USDA: Hog numbers fall 2% to 74.3 million head
The USDA's September 2026 Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report shows a 2% decline in the nation's hog inventory, with 74.3 million head total. Breeding stock decreased to 5.87 million, while market hogs were 68.4 million. The report also notes a 2% drop in pigs weaned from June to August, which could lead to higher pork prices.
The September survey, based on responses from 4,258 producers, places breeding stock at 5.87 million head, a segment that directly influences future supply. Market hogs account for the vast majority of the total at 68.4 million. Regional concentration remains pronounced, with Iowa alone holding roughly one-third of the national herd at 24.7 million head, followed by Minnesota and North Carolina.
The 34.5 million pigs weaned between June and August represents a 2 percent year-over-year reduction, while producers averaged 11.96 pigs per litter during that window. Planned farrowings of 2.85 million sows from September through November and 2.80 million from December through February suggest producers are not aggressively expanding, which may keep supply constrained into 2027.
The 2 percent contraction in hog numbers could translate into tighter pork supplies at retail, potentially pushing up prices for bacon, chops, ham, and sausage. Consumers may respond by shifting toward chicken or other proteins, while smaller producers could face margin pressure if feed costs remain elevated. The decline in breeding stock and weaned pigs suggests the reduction may persist beyond the current quarter, meaning shoppers could see higher pork prices well into 2027.