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NASS June Hogs and Pigs: U.S. inventory down slightly at 73.7 million head
Summary
The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported June 1, 2026 all-hogs-and-pigs inventory at 73.7 million head, with breeding stock down 1.2% and market hogs up 0.1%; state-level shifts and increased Canadian imports were also noted at a June briefing.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported June 1, 2026 all-hogs-and-pigs inventory at 73.7 million head, a slight decline from a year earlier, agency officials said at a June briefing.
Travis Averill, chief of NASS's livestock branch, said the quarterly survey covered 4,254 operations across 28 states, with data collection from May 26 to June 13 using mail, telephone, internet and in-person interviews. "A total of 4,254 operations were surveyed," Averill said.
The report showed the U.S. breeding herd at 5,880,000 head, down 1.2% from 2025, while market hogs totaled 67.8 million head, an increase of 0.1%. "Which June 1st all hogs and pigs is at 73.7 million head," Averill stated when summarizing the headline figure. The December 1, 2025 estimate was revised down 0.5% to 75.2 million, and the March 1, 2026 estimate was revised down 0.5% to 73.9 million.
State-level changes were uneven. Iowa led the nation at 24.7 million head, up 2% year over year, and Minnesota rose 3%. By contrast, Illinois was down 6%, North Carolina down 5% and Indiana down 1%.
Breaking market hogs into weight groups, NASS reported less than 50 pounds at 21.1 million head (up slightly), 50–119 pounds at 19.1 million (down 0.5%), 120–179 pounds at 14.9 million (up 0.5%) and 180 pounds and over at 12.7 million (up 0.4%). Averill noted the 50–119-pound group was the only weight class showing a year-over-year decline.
Sows farrowed from March–May 2026 were estimated at 2,823,000 head, down 29,000 from the prior year. NASS reported the March–May pig crop weaned at 33,521,000 head and pigs per litter weaned at 11.87, up from 11.75 a year earlier and the highest year-over-year rate for that period.
On trade, Averill said several series were below trade averages: total hogs and pigs inventory, market hogs, the March–May pig crop and June–August second intentions. Breeding hogs and first intentions for sows farrowing in September–November were within trade expectations.
NASS also reported rising Canadian imports: second-quarter 2026 feeder-pig and slaughter-hog imports from Canada totaled 1,875,000 head, up 11.5% from 2025. Of that total, 1,374,000 (73%) were feeder pigs, up 7.4%, and 501,000 (27%) were slaughter hogs, up 24.5%.
The agency displayed price series for hogs and corn covering the past 10 years; the most recent prices reported were for April, and NASS noted a historical six-month hog-to-corn ratio break-even of about 15.
Lance Honig, chair of the Agricultural Statistics Board at NASS, opened the briefing and reminded viewers that "The Hogs and Pigs report is considered a principal federal economic indicator report," and that Office of Management and Budget statistical policy instructs policymakers to refrain from public comment about the report within 30 minutes of its release.
NASS listed upcoming report releases — including agricultural prices, acreage and grain stocks, and crop production — and said all publications are available on its official website. NASS staff are available for follow-up questions by phone or email. The livestream concluded after Averill's presentation.
