DES MOINES, Iowa – The June 1 USDA Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report was the highest June 1 inventory in five years.

“The total inventory of hogs and pigs in the U.S. on June 1 is estimated to be 75.1 million, up 1 percent, or 390,000 from March 1, and up 246,000 from a year ago,” said Bernt Nelson, American Farm Bureau Federation economist, who analyzed the report, released June 26.

“This is the highest June 1 inventory since 2020,” he told reporters in a June 26 webinar, sponsored by the National Pork Board and the Pork Checkoff in Des Moines. “Pigs kept for breeding were estimated at 5.98 million, down slightly from last year, and the lowest breeding inventory in a decade.”

He added, “Pigs saved per litter are the number of piglets that make it to weaning age for each litter born to a sow. The USDA estimates pigs saved per litter is 11.7, which is a record high for the second quarter. The rising number of pigs saved per litter, combined with lower pigs kept for breeding, is evidence of improved production that continues to elevate the total hog inventory.”

The report said 69.2 million were market hogs. Between March and May 2025, 34.2 million pigs were weaned on U.S. farms, up 1 percent from the same time one year earlier. From March through May 2025, U.S. hog and pig producers weaned an average of 11.75 pigs per litter. U.S. hog producers intend to have 2.97 million sows farrow between June and August 2025, and 2.95 million sows farrow between September and November 2025, the report added.

The report said Iowa hog producers accounted for the nation’s largest inventory among the states, at 24.7 million head; Minnesota had the second largest inventory at 9.3 million head; and North Carolina was third, with 7.8 million head.

Nelson said slaughter hog prices have increased dramatically in grilling season, with the national weekly weighted average slaughter hog carcass price at $106.96 per cwt (hundredweight, a unit of weight or mass, or 100 pounds) for June 14-21, over 21 percent higher than the same week in 2024.

“It was noted earlier that the USDA’s June Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook indicated strong consumer demand contributing to these prices,” he said. “However, summer months tend to bring summer heat, and when temperatures are hot, hogs put on weight more slowly. This can lead to lower production, tightening supply. This would increase hog, and pork, prices through July.”

He concluded that, “Pork remains a more affordable protein, compared to beef, and continued consumer interest, both domestically and abroad, could provide some demand-side support. If seasonal heat slows weight gain and tempers supply growth, farmers may see some upward price movement through the summer months.”