Cattle, hog futures weaken as high meat prices threaten demand - CME
Analysts concerned inflation could remain elevated
13 May 2022
2 minute read
By: Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) livestock futures fell on Thursday, as high meat prices are threatening US demand, reported Reuters, citing analysts.
Concerns that inflation could remain elevated for longer than anticipated weighed on the markets because higher prices could reduce meat sales, analysts said.
Traders also watched a rise in prices for grain used for livestock feed, after a monthly US Department of Agriculture (USDA) crop report said domestic supplies of wheat and corn are expected to fall in the coming year.
Wheat futures rallied at the Chicago Board of Trade on USDA's lower-than-expected production forecasts, providing spillover support to the corn market. Wheat and corn can both be used for animal feed.
"Today's report elevated the importance of getting the corn crop planted on time, because we've got a much tighter wheat supply that you're not going to be able to put into the feed rations," said Mike Zuzolo, president of Global Commodity Analytics.
CME June lean hogs ended down 3.375 cents at 97.475 cents per pound and hit its lowest price since 13 January. July hogs slid by 3.700 cents to close at 97.850 cents per pound and touched its lowest price since 12 January.
June live cattle futures settled 1.925 cents weaker at 131.650 cents per pound. August feeder cattle fell 3.475 cents to 166.525 cents per pound and reached their lowest price since 13 September.
The USDA, in its monthly report, said 2023 cattle prices are forecast above 2022 due to tightening supplies, while hog prices are forecast to be lower amid increased production.
In a separate weekly report, the USDA said net export sales of US beef in the week ended 5 May were 28,400 tonnes for 2022, a marketing-year high.
Weekly US pork export sales for 2022 were 6,300 tonnes up 10% from the previous week and 14% from the prior four-week average, the USDA said. US pork exports have struggled this year amid declining demand from China, the world's biggest consumer of the meat.
