The price of livestock took a tumble this week, led by hogs which dropped due to slow sales to China.
Hogs hit the lowest level in many months and touched the permissible “limit down” on Friday’s crash.
African Swine Fever (not contagious to humans) continues to spread in Southeast Asia and could eventually help stabilize prices, but, for now, traders are focusing on the demand part of the formula.
Not only are packers killing more hogs than last year, the weights are heavier which further exacerbates the supply problem. All this negative price talk could reverse upward if a trade deal is struck with China. Hogs for August delivery traded at 77.90 cents per pound at noon on Friday.