Hog Inventories Down 2% in North America

WASHINGTON - Feb 17/10 - SNS -- Hog and pig inventories in the United States and Canada totalled 77.4 million head as of December 31, 2009, down 2% from last year and down 6% from two years ago, according to a joint report from the USDA and Statistics Canada.

The breeding inventory, at 7.19 million head, was down 4% from a year ago and down 1% from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 70.3 million head, was down 2% from both last year and last quarter. The pig crop, at 36.0 million head, was down 1% from 2008 and down 4% from 2007. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 3.70 million head, down 3% from last year and down 8% from 2007.

U.S. inventory of all hogs and pigs on December 1, 2009 was 65.8 million head. This was down 2% from December 1, 2008 and down 2% from September 1, 2009. The breeding inventory, at 5.85 million head, was down 3% from last year and down slightly from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 60.0 million head, was down 2% from last year and down 2% from last quarter. The pig crop, at 28.8 million head, was up slightly from 2008 but down 2% from 2007. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 2.97 million head, down 2% from last year and down 6% from 2007.

Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs on January 1, 2010 was 11.6 million head. This was down 5% from January 1, 2009 and down 16% from January 1, 2008. The breeding inventory, at 1.34 million head, was down 4% from last year and down 1% from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 10.3 million head, was down 5% from last year and down 2% from last quarter. The pig crop, at 7.2 million head, was down 7% from 2009 and down 12% from 2008. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 724,600 head, down 8% from last year and down 13% from 2008.