# Look for hog margins to turn lower in 2018

> Farm economist Chris Hurt expects hog profit margins to narrow in 2018 versus 2017, reflecting somewhat lower hog prices and higher production costs tied to rising corn prices. He notes seasonal patterns, with best margins in the second and third quarters and lowest in the first and fourth.

- Date: 2017-07-14 · published 2017-07-14T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: market · region US · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/4733-look-for-hog-margins-to-turn-lower-in-2018
- Commodities: [Lean Hogs](https://feedsoft.ai/c/HOGS.md), [Corn](https://feedsoft.ai/c/CORN.md)

## Why it matters

Higher corn costs and lower expected hog prices squeeze producer margins, which can slow herd expansion and reduce hog demand for feed over time. Corn is the key input cost linking the outlook to feed markets.

## Read by commodity

- CORN: bullish ▲
- HOGS: bearish ▼

## Sources

- farmprogress.com: https://www.farmprogress.com/hog-and-pork-news/look-for-hog-margins-to-turn-lower-in-2018

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