Hog prices were volatile this week. The high national average carcass price on the morning report was $96.60/cwt on Wednesday. The low price was a day later at $92.45/cwt.
The average liveweight price for 51-52% lean hogs during April was $62.94/cwt. This was $1.60 lower than the month before and $1.90 lower than a year earlier. During the first quarter of 2025 prices were up $7.60/cwt year-over-year.
The movement in hog prices during the coming weeks is likely to be higher. Over the last 10 years (2015-24) June live hog prices have averaged $2.61/cwt higher than May and July prices averaged $1.21/cwt higher than June. After July the hog price trend is lower until year’s end.
The average retail price of pork during April was $4.907 per pound. That was 4.4 cents lower than the month before but 9.3 cents higher than a year ago. The seasonal trend is for higher retail pork prices until October.