Hog farmers are hoping for a bump in prices coming out of 2018. That’s expected to happen, but pending trade deals could affect profit potential, Purdue University economist Chris Hurt says.

“Financial losses are expected to persist again in 2019, but they won’t be as large as last year’s trade reduced prices. To get back to profits, the industry must secure more markets for U.S. pork or further reduce the rate of expansion,” Hurt says.

Prices in 2018 averaged $45.92 per live hundredweight for 51...