Animal Production NAICS 112

Jun 23, 2026 - US Pork Exports to Rise

• The USDA projects continued growth in US pork exports through 2035, creating a favorable outlook for pork producers. Rising global incomes and an expected weakening of the US dollar are forecast to increase international demand for US pork. US pork exports surpassed chicken exports in 2024 for the first time since 1976 and are expected to maintain that lead through 2035. Export growth will be supported by increased production efficiency, including heavier slaughter weights, larger litters, and expanding hog inventories. In addition, environmental regulations are expected to constrain pork production growth in the European Union, improving the competitive position of US producers globally. The agency projects pork exports to rise from an expected 7.2 billion pounds in 2026 to 7.8 billion pounds by 2035, exceeding the previous record set in 2020.
• America's farm-raised catfish industry faces growing economic pressure from rising production costs, foreign competition, disease, bird predation, and weather-related risks, Farm Bureau reports. Feed, labor, fingerling (juvenile fish), and energy expenses have increased substantially, leaving many producers operating near breakeven levels. At the same time, lower-priced imported Vietnamese swai has become a major competitor, putting pressure on domestic pricing and margins. Disease outbreaks and fish-eating birds can quickly erase profits, while extreme weather adds further uncertainty. Despite improvements in genetics, aeration, and production technology, US catfish acreage has declined by about 75% from its peak, and the number of farms has fallen from more than 1,300 to fewer than 400. Continued industry contraction threatens not only producers but also processors, hatcheries, feed mills, and rural communities that depend on catfish production. Catfish farming is America’s largest aquaculture industry.

• US meat sales reached a record $112 billion in 2025, with volume rising 2% as consumers increasingly adopt protein-rich diets, Consumer Affairs reports. Nearly 98% of households purchase meat, and about 90% of home-cooked dinners include it, underscoring its role as a staple food. Demand remains strong despite high prices, supported by shifting dietary guidelines that emphasize protein as part of a healthy diet. Younger shoppers, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, are driving much of the growth and are more likely to center meals around meat. Perceptions of meat as healthy have also improved significantly, with 77% of consumers now viewing it as part of a balanced diet. While meat demand is strong, consumers are also supplementing with lower cost protein sources such as eggs, dairy, and canned fish. Overall, the trend reflects sustained demand for protein, with meat maintaining a dominant but increasingly competitive position.
• According to Dairy Herd Management, historically high beef prices continue to play heavily in the dairy market, with high beef prices reshaping herd management decisions across both the beef and dairy cattle sectors. With heifer inventories falling for the eighth straight year and now at their lowest level since 1978, dairy producers are increasingly breeding cows to beef sires to capture record‑high calf values. Crossbred beef‑on‑dairy calves, which sell for up to $1,700 at auction, are providing critical cash flow at a time of weak milk margins, incentivizing producers to delay culling and keep older cows in the milking string. For beef producers, historically tight heifer supplies and delayed dairy culling mean slower rebuilding of the national cattle herd, prolonging the period of constrained feeder and fed‑cattle availability. High beef prices are likely to persist until inventories recover, but rebuilding will take time.