# Export demand expected to push U.S. pork prices higher

> USDA economists note that processors' spreads have narrowed and that spot hogs traded at a premium to producer-sold hogs by late February. Strong pork demand led to better loin cut prices, which USDA linked to export demand. The 2026 hog price is projected to average $70 per cwt, 2.1% above 2025.

- Date: 2026-03-18 · published 2026-03-18T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: trade · region US · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/20322-export-demand-expected-to-push-u-s-pork-prices-higher
- Commodities: [Lean Hogs](https://feedsoft.ai/c/HOGS.md)

## Why it matters

Robust export demand for pork supports hog prices and encourages processors to buy hogs even at higher prices. This sustains demand for hog feed into 2026.

## Read by commodity

- HOGS: bullish ▲

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| HOGS | 2019-04-15 | [Export demand is driving hog prices](https://feedsoft.ai/events/7152-export-demand-is-driving-hog-prices.md) | +8.5% | +5.4% |
| HOGS | 2021-04-08 | [Rising pork demand drives US hog prices to highest since 2014 \| Air Freight News](https://feedsoft.ai/events/47754-rising-pork-demand-drives-us-hog-prices-to-highest-since-2014-air-freight-news.md) | +1.5% | +7.3% |
| HOGS | 2017-05-10 | [Pork Demand Fuels Dramatic Improvement in Cash Hog Prices
						 \| The Pig Site](https://feedsoft.ai/events/71169-pork-demand-fuels-dramatic-improvement-in-cash-hog-prices-the-pig-site.md) | +10.1% | +15.8% |
| HOGS | 2024-02-16 | [Lean Hogs Gapped Higher and Rallied post Export Sales - IBest Media](https://feedsoft.ai/events/5536-lean-hogs-gapped-higher-and-rallied-post-export-sales-ibest-media.md) | +3.9% | +4.0% |
| HOGS | 2020-05-01 | [U.S. livestock: Hogs climb on strong pork exports, wholesale prices - AgCanada](https://feedsoft.ai/events/53269-u-s-livestock-hogs-climb-on-strong-pork-exports-wholesale-prices-agcanada.md) | +15.8% | -0.2% |

## Sources

- nationalhogfarmer.com: https://www.nationalhogfarmer.com/market-news/export-demand-expected-to-push-u-s-pork-prices-higher

---
Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.