Lean hog futures closed Thursday up 30 to 70 cents across the front months. Preliminary open interest rose 4,405 contracts. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $108.19 on Thursday afternoon, down 61 cents from the day prior. The CME Lean Hog Index was down 23 cents on August 26 at $106.63.
Export Sales data showed a 9-week high in pork sales at 42,389 MT in the week of 8/21. Mexico was the lead buyer of 26,700 MT, with 3,400 MT sold to Colombian buyers. Export shipments were tallied at a 16-week low of 25,599 MT. Of that total, 12,600 MT was headed to Mexico, with 2,900 MT to Japan.
