Lean hog futures posted Friday strength as contracts were up 87 cents to $1.05. October was $1 higher this week. USDA’s national base hog report from Friday PM showed negotiated prices at $101.25, down $3.18 from the day prior. The CME Lean Hog Index was up a nickel on September 3 at $105.97. 

Export Sales Data showed pork bookings backing off to 23,711 MT in the week of 8/28, back down from the last week. Mexico was the top buyer of US pork in that week at 10,100 MT, with Japan buying 2,300 MT.  Shipments were back up from last week at 26,570 MT. Much of that was headed to Mexico, at 12,900 MT, with 3,700 MT on his way to Japan.

Managed money spec traders increased their large net long position and lean hog futures and options by 9,849 contracts as of Tuesday, taking it to 123,891 contracts.

USDA’s FOB plant pork cutout report from Friday afternoon was back up $2.55 at $115.87 per cwt. The rib and butt primals were the only reported lower. USDA estimated federally inspected hog slaughter for this week at 2.319 million head. That is just 73,000 head below last week despite the Monday holiday (increased Saturday kill), and 10,979 head below the same holiday week last year.

Oct 25 Hogs  closed at $96.025, up $1.000,

Dec 25 Hogs  closed at $88.325, up $1.025

Feb 26 Hogs  closed at $90.375, up $0.875,