USDA raises 2014 pork production forecast

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  Andrea Gantz

  U.S. pork production in 2014 will be higher than earlier projected, according to a new report from the USDA.

  From WATTAgNet:
  The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has raised its forecast for U.S. pork production in 2014 but has maintained its projections for pork production in 2015.
  In the USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demands Estimates (WASDE) report, released December 9, the agency called for 22.8 billion pounds of pork produced in 2014, up from its estimate of 22.68 billion pounds forecast in the November WASDE report.
  The reason for the increased forecast in pork production was that pig slaughtering numbers to date have been strong, the report stated.
  Looking forward to 2015, the USDA projected U.S. pork production would reach 23.63 billion pounds, the same estimate it gave in November for 2015 U.S. pork production.
  In 2013, 23.2 billion pounds of pork were produced in the United States.
  Total meat production estimates for 2014 were down slightly from the November report. The anticipated increased pork production was not enough to offset the projected decline in beef production.
  The December WASDE report also called for an increase in pork imports in 2014 amounting to 35 million pounds. However, the forecast for exports was reduced from its November estimate by 100 million pounds because relatively high prices are expected to encourage imports and limit sales opportunities.