Lean hog futures posted modest gains of 10 to 52 cents on Thursday, as October was the lone holdout, down 27 cents. Open interest was up 3,731 contracts, indicating modest new buying. USDA’s national base hog price was down 99 cents in the Thursday PM report at $89.76. The CME Lean Hog Index was down another 23 cents on August 25 at $92.42.
Weekly Export Sales data showed 38,690 MT of pork sold for 2026 in the week ending on August 20, a 12-week high. Mexico was the top buyer of 22,700 MT, with 2,600 MT sold to Japan. Shipments were pegged at 29,902 MT, back up from the week prior. The lead destination was Mexico at 13,800 MT, with 4,400 MT headed to Japan.
