Pork Updates
Our cousins in the lean hog industry have new contract highs for summer 2023 closing at 104.875. Which is believed could still be undervalued since they saw highs earlier this year at $1.20. Why is this happening and why should we as heritage hog producers care.
- Less sow herds in the USA, Europe and China. Global feed prices has decreased the herds
- Recent USDA data projects 7% less beef in 2023 that’s over 2 billion pounds.
- More avian flu outbreaks in USA and Europe in past 60 days that has not hit mainstream media.
- Less, less, less. The only way to ration lower supply is higher prices.
So in a local retail store 10 minutes from my farm I see a great disparity in pricing
Boneless Pork Loin – $5.49 lb.
Lean Ground Beef – $7.49 lb.
Prime Rib Roast – $25.05 lb.
This is testament to what the lean pork industry has done. Producing piles of white loins devoid of marbling. The other white meat program has successfully created loins that are lower value than ground beef. Remember fat and marbling increase flavor and sales price. Just look at the prime rib selling for 5 times the price of the bland lean pork loins. Taste trumps all. Push those marbled Large Black Pork Loins
Alan McKamey, President, LBHA