Iowa hog producers could see positive returns as lower feed costs and growing exports fuel cautious optimism. 

Profitability is possible in the hog market in 2025 despite domestic demand returning to pre-pandemic levels, said Lee Schulz, chief livestock economist at EverAg, during the 2025 Iowa Pork Congress last week in Des Moines.

“[Domestic] consumer demand is below 2021-22 levels, but those were the heights of pork demand and fueled by government stimulus,” Schulz said. “We’re still near pre-2021 levels, which is good,...