For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Pork Prices in North America
- In United States, the Pork Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by demand.
- Consumer prices rose 3.3% in March 2026, driving shoppers toward affordable Pork as value protein.
- Producer prices increased 4.0% in March 2026, elevating the Pork Production Cost Trend for meatpackers.
- Retail sales grew 4.0% in March 2026, supporting a positive Pork Demand Outlook at supermarkets.
- Unemployment reached 4.3% in March 2026, keeping labor tight and elevating costs at meatpacking plants.
- Corn and soybean feedstock costs rose in February 2026, directly increasing domestic hog farming expenses.
- Exports to Mexico surged in February 2026, and South Korea volumes expanded in January 2026.
- Cold storage pork inventories tightened in February 2026, supporting an upward Pork Price Forecast trend.
Why did the price of Pork change in March 2026 in North America?
- Strong export demand to Mexico surged in February 2026, tightening the available domestic market supply.
- Rising corn and soybean feedstock costs in February 2026 directly increased overall hog farming expenses.
- Producer prices increased 4.0% in March 2026, passing elevated meatpacking and transportation costs to wholesalers.
Pork Prices in APAC
- In China, the Pork Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, as domestic pork supplies tightened in March 2026.
- The Pork Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026, driven by a 0.5% PPI rise and higher feed costs.
- The Pork Demand Outlook weakened in March 2026, as 1.7% retail sales growth and 5.4% unemployment constrained consumer spending.
- In February 2026, consumer confidence hit 91.6, while March 2026 CPI reached 1.0%, reflecting cautious household spending on proteins.
- During March 2026, industrial production grew 5.7% and the Manufacturing Index expanded, supporting steady throughput in food processing sectors.
- Domestic corn feedstock and soybean meal costs strengthened in January 2026, elevating overall operational expenses for pork producers.
- Agriculture sow herd inventory contracted in Q1 2026, while government regulatory measures restricted production expansion during March 2026.
- Total pork import volumes plummeted in Q1 2026, establishing a firm Pork Price Forecast based on restricted market availability.
Why did the price of Pork change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Domestic pork supplies tightened in March 2026, and total import volumes plummeted during Q1 2026.
- Domestic corn feedstock and soybean meal feed ingredient costs strengthened for producers in January 2026.
- Consumer substitution toward alternative affordable animal proteins weakened overall domestic pork demand in Q1 2026.
Pork Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Pork Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by tightening pig supplies.
- The Pork Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026 as 2.7% inflation elevated feed expenses.
- The Pork Demand Outlook remained positive in February 2026, supported by 4.2% unemployment sustaining consumption.
- Retail sales grew 0.7% in February 2026, ensuring steady turnover for products containing pork derivatives.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, driving demand for pork-derived oleochemicals and gelatin.
- Live pig processing backlogs cleared by March 2026, while overall domestic supply tightened noticeably.
- Export volumes to third-country markets and intra-EU trade flows surged significantly in January 2026.
- The Pork Price Forecast remained elevated in March 2026 as European feed wheat costs firmed.
- Consumer confidence reached -24.7 in March 2026, causing consumers to substitute expensive proteins with budget pork.
Why did the price of Pork change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Live pig supply tightened noticeably across the region during March 2026, elevating market valuations.
- European feed wheat feedstock costs firmed in February 2026, directly increasing agricultural production expenses.
- Domestic slaughterhouse buying interest strengthened noticeably in February 2026, driving upward pressure on prices.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Pork Prices in North America
- In United States, the Pork Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, driven by robust demand and tightening inventories.
- Pork production costs faced upward pressure from a 3.0% year-over-year PPI increase in November 2025.
- U.S. consumer demand for pork remained robust in Q4 2025, supported by a 3.3% year-over-year rise in retail sales.
- Pork cold storage inventories tightened significantly in December 2025, reaching their lowest December level.
- Hog slaughter numbers declined in October and November 2025, constrained by disease outbreaks in Q4 2025.
- Consumer preference for pork strengthened in Q4 2025, influenced by rising beef prices.
- Record U.S. corn production for 2025/26 contributed to moderated agricultural feed costs in Q4 2025.
- A 2.7% year-over-year CPI increase in December 2025 indicated general inflation, impacting operational costs.
- A 2.0% industrial production increase and 4.4% unemployment rate in December 2025 supported consumer spending.
Why did the price of Pork change in December 2025 in North America?
- Pork cold storage inventories tightened significantly in December 2025, reaching lowest December levels.
- Robust U.S. consumer demand supported by a 3.3% year-over-year rise in retail sales.
- Rising production costs influenced by a 3.0% year-over-year PPI increase in November 2025.
Pork Prices in APAC
- In China, the Pork Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, driven by weak consumer demand.
- Pork production costs declined in late 2025, as the Producer Price Index fell by 1.9% in December 2025.
- Domestic pork demand remained weak in Q4 2025, with retail sales growing only 0.9% in December 2025.
- China's pig herd experienced a slight increase by December 2025, contributing to ample market-ready hog supply in Q4 2025.
- Pork production surged in Q4 2025, reaching the highest fourth-quarter output since 2018.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in December 2025, indicating broader economic activity.
- Industrial production rose by 5.2% in December 2025, while the unemployment rate was 5.1% in December 2025.
- Consumer price inflation remained low at 0.8% in December 2025, reflecting subdued consumer purchasing power.
Why did the price of Pork change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Weak consumer demand persisted in Q4 2025, evidenced by low retail sales growth of 0.9% in December 2025.
- Ample domestic supply surged in Q4 2025, as high breeding-sow inventories led to overcapacity.
- Production input costs for pork weakened, with the Producer Price Index declining by 1.9% in December 2025.
Pork Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Pork Price Index fell in Q4 2025 and settled at USD 1768/MT, influenced by declining producer prices in December 2025.
- Pork production costs decreased in December 2025, as the Producer Price Index (PPI) fell 2.5% year-over-year.
- Demand for pork was subdued in Q4 2025, with the Manufacturing Index contracting in December 2025.
- Consumer purchasing power for pork eroded from a 1.8% Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase in December 2025.
- Retail sales growth of 1.1% in November 2025 offered some support for pork consumption via retail channels.
- Low consumer confidence (-17.5) and 6.2% unemployment in December 2025 dampened household spending.
- Modest industrial production growth of 0.8% in October 2025 indirectly supported economic activity.
- The Pork Price Index is forecast to remain stable to slightly lower due to persistent cost and demand pressures.
Why did the price of Pork change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Producer prices for industrial products fell 2.5% year-over-year in December 2025, reducing production costs.
- Consumer confidence was significantly low at -17.5 in December 2025, impacting overall food spending.
- The Manufacturing Index contracted in December 2025, signaling weaker economic conditions and demand.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
- In the United States, the Pork Price Index rose in Q3 2025, influenced by rising producer input costs.
- Pork production costs increased, with PPI rising 2.6% year-over-year in August 2025, impacting supply margins.
- Pork demand outlook was mixed; consumer confidence declined to 94.2 in September 2025, suggesting cautious spending.
- Retail sales showed robust growth of 5.42% year-over-year in September 2025, supporting consumer purchases.
- General inflation, indicated by a 3.0% year-over-year CPI increase in September 2025, influenced the Pork Price Index.
- Slow industrial production growth in September 2025 tempered consumer purchasing power.
- Rising energy and feed costs, reflected in August 2025 PPI, contributed to higher overall production expenses for pork.
- Weakening consumer optimism, with the Consumer Confidence Index at 94.2 in September 2025, impacted discretionary spending.
Why did the price of Pork change in September 2025 in North America?
- Producer input costs for pork increased, as indicated by a 2.6% year-over-year rise in PPI in August 2025.
- Consumer purchasing power was affected by a 3.0% year-over-year CPI increase and 4.3% unemployment in September 2025.
- Despite robust 5.42% year-over-year retail sales growth, declining consumer confidence tempered overall demand.
APAC
- In China, the Pork Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by weak consumer demand and declining producer prices.
- Pork production costs trended downwards in September 2025, as the Producer Price Index decreased by 2.3% year-over-year.
- The Pork Demand Outlook is bearish, with the Consumer Price Index falling 0.3% year-over-year in September 2025.
- Consumer confidence remained low at 89.6 in September 2025, suggesting cautious spending and reduced household pork consumption.
- China's Manufacturing Index was contracting in September 2025, indirectly impacting overall economic activity and food processing demand.
- Despite retail sales increasing 3.0% year-over-year in September 2025, overall pork demand faced headwinds.
- Industrial production expanded by 6.5% year-over-year in September 2025, offering some support to general economic activity.
- The Pork Price Index forecast suggests continued downward pressure or stability, influenced by prevailing bearish macroeconomic conditions.
Why did the price of Pork change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Weak consumer demand, with CPI down 0.3% year-over-year in September 2025, pressured pork prices.
- Declining producer prices, PPI at -2.3% year-over-year in September 2025, reduced pork production costs.
- Low consumer confidence (89.6 index) and a contracting Manufacturing Index in September 2025 dampened market sentiment.
Europe
- In Germany, the Pork Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by contracting manufacturing activity.
- Pork production costs decreased in September 2025, driven by a -1.7% year-over-year Producer Price Index.
- Pork demand outlook is bearish, as the Consumer Price Index rose 2.4% year-over-year in September 2025.
- Consumer spending on pork remained stable in September 2025, with retail sales increasing by 0.2% year-over-year.
- The Manufacturing Index contracted in Q3 2025, signaling weaker industrial demand for processed pork products.
- Industrial production declined by 1.0% year-over-year in September 2025, impacting pork processing and distribution.
- A stable 6.3% unemployment rate in September 2025 suggests constrained household incomes, limiting pork consumption.
- Pork price forecast remains pressured by weak economic indicators despite lower production costs in Q3 2025.
- Consumer confidence showed stable inflation expectations in Q3 2025, offering some support against further demand decline.
Why did the price of Pork change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Consumer purchasing power was reduced by a 2.4% year-over-year CPI increase in September 2025.
- Production costs for pork decreased due to a -1.7% year-over-year Producer Price Index in September 2025.
- Overall demand for pork was dampened by a contracting Manufacturing Index in Q3 2025.
