Cattle prices are heading into the 2026 grilling season near record highs, while the lead hog futures have been choppy, reflecting seasonal demand dynamics. The last time I addressed the meat futures on Barchart was on January 8, 2026, when I concluded with the following:
As cattle and hog futures markets will remain in the demand offseason from January through March, prices could experience downside pressure. However, any significant selloffs could be buying opportunities for the 2026 peak grilling season, which begins on Memorial Day in late May and runs through Labor Day in early September.
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Other factors that may impact meat futures include rising production costs due to inflationary pressures, grain and oilseed prices over the coming months, which are critical animal feed inputs, and U.S. tariffs on worldwide trading partners that produce and consume beef and pork.
I would be a buyer of cattle and hog futures on any significant declines over the coming months.
