Lean hog futures are trading with 5 to 22 cent gains at Thursday’s midday. The national average base hog negotiated price was reported at $80.78 on Thursday morning, which was down $3.35 from the day prior. The CME Lean Hog Index was reported at $83.61 on December 10, up 28 cents from the previous day.

USDA’s Export Sales report showed pork bookings totaling 22,460 MT for 2024 and another 4,574 MT for 2025 in the week of 12/5 this morning. That took combined sales to 27,034 MT, which was a 3-week low and 44.2% below the same week last year. Mexico was the buyer of a combined 9,400 MT, with Japan buying 5,600 MT. Shipments were 33,755 MT, which was a 5-week high. A total of 14,700 MT was destined for Mexico, with 3,900 MT to South Korea.

USDA’s FOB plant pork cutout value reported lower on Thursday AM, down 83 cents at $92.04 per cwt. Just the loin and belly were reported lower, with the belly leading the charge, down $10.67. USDA estimated the Wednesday FI hog slaughter at 487,000 head, bringing the weekly total to 1.464 million head. That was 1,000 head below last week and up 35,040 head from the same week last year. 

Dec 24 Hogs  are at $83.550, up $0.050,

Feb 25 Hogs  are at $84.425, up $0.050

Apr 25 Hogs  is at $88.475, up $0.225,