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Lean Hog Futures Slide as Slaughter Numbers Rise and Cash Prices Soften

BearishLow impact
HE1!USX 68.03 −0.51%

Front-month CME Lean Hog Futures (CME:HE1!) traded lower on Tuesday, with most active contracts falling between 50 cents and $1.00. December 2026 futures fell $0.575 to $67.800, while February 2027 contracts dropped $1.000 to $69.300. The expiring October 2026 contract remained unchanged at $75.600 ahead of its Wednesday expiration.

Increased supply pressure contributed to the weakness as estimated Monday hog slaughter reached 498,000 head. That figure is 5,000 head above the previous Monday and 18,030 head higher than the corresponding week last year. Meanwhile, cash market metrics reflected softer conditions, with the CME Lean Hog Index falling $1.10 on October 9 to $76.51 and the national base hog price settling at $71.36 on Tuesday morning.

Traders will be tracking wholesale pork demand and processing levels as October contracts finalize settlement on Wednesday. Wholesale pork carcass cutout values provided slight support, edging up 8 cents to $83.05 on Tuesday morning, despite lower prices across picnic, ham, and loin primals.

Key points

  • Most front-month lean hog futures fell between 50 cents and $1.00 on Tuesday.
  • October 2026 hog futures held steady at $75.600 ahead of Wednesday expiration.
  • Monday hog slaughter reached 498,000 head, up 18,030 head from the same week last year.
  • The CME Lean Hog Index fell $1.10 on October 9 to $76.51.
  • Pork carcass cutout value rose 8 cents on Tuesday morning to $83.05.

Written by our AI from expert market sources across the web. It can contain mistakes: check the facts before acting on them. Write-ups powered by the free AI API at FreeTheAI.org

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Questions and answers

Why are lean hog futures falling on October 13, 2026?

Lean hog futures fell due to higher slaughter rates, with Monday slaughter up 18,030 head from last year, alongside declining cash index prices.

What is the national base hog price and carcass cutout value?

The national base hog price was reported at $71.36 on Tuesday morning, while the pork carcass cutout value rose 8 cents to $83.05.

Where are October 2026 lean hog futures trading?

October 2026 lean hog futures are trading steady at $75.600 ahead of their expiration on Wednesday.