The USDA has raised its forecast for U.S. pork production in 2015, the agency revealed in its World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, released on May 12
The federal agency’s May forecast calls for 24.4 billion pounds of pork to be produced during 2015, up from the April forecast that called for 24.24 billion pounds of pork.
Both estimates topped the U.S. pork production totals for 2014, which reached 22.84 billion pounds.
“Pork production is forecast higher as the pace of slaughter in the second quarter remains heavy and supplies of slaughter hogs in the second part of the year are expected to remain ample,” USDA stated in the WASDE report.
Pork production in 2016
USDA offered a look into pork production in 2016, calling for even more pounds of pork to be produced. In its May WASDE report, the agency projected that U.S. pork production would reach 24.7 billion pounds. No estimates for 2016 pork production were offered in the April WASDE report.
“Pork production is expected to increase as pig crops expand, reflecting moderate increases in farrowings during late 2015 and early 2016 and a continued recovery in growth in pigs per litter,” the agency stated.
