May 20, 2014
USDA forecasts increase in 2015 pork production
Despite concerns over the spread of PEDV, USDA's first pork production forecast for 2015 shows a nearly 3% increase compared to 2014.
World Agricultural Outlook Board Chairman at USDA, Gerry Bange, says the rise in pork production is the same reason why some thought there might be decline, the PED virus.
Bange explains, "One, we think we're going to see an increase in farrowing activity. Two, we think that the pigs-per-litter will show a slow but gradual recovery. We're thinking that the PED virus certainly will not be eradicated, but we think we'll be making a step in the direction of at least making progress on that front. Three, we think that these animals will be fed to higher weights".
"We're looking at the 2015 price now at US$72.75 per hundred-weight. That's down about 6.6% from the US$77.92 that will be recorded for 2014," said Bange.
Pork export demand is also expected to rise by almost 4% in 2015, according to the USDA forecast.