date:Dec 26, 2012
e in beef prices.
Lean hog futures are up 20 cents top 40 cents early Tuesday. Cash hog prices fell on Monday, but so did the trade volume. Packers need to buy more hogs and may have to raise bids to get it done.
But processing margins are poor and packers may decide to reduce slaughter levels.
Retail demand for pork is generally weak through the end of the year but production will be reduced due to the holidays over the next two weeks.
The quarterly Hogs and Pigs report will be released Dec