The key to developing marketing strategies is having records on past price patterns. Knowing the historical patterns of trends, cycles and seasonal price movements can provide a base for forecasting. Trends refer to consistent price movements over a period of years. Seasonal price patterns refer to month to month repeating patterns within a year. This NebFact provides data about seasonal price patterns.
Slaughter hog seasonal price patterns persist from year to year.
The price patterns result from changes in hog and pork supplies, changing demand for pork by consumers or a combination of supply and demand changes. Hog prices are affected by the seasonability of farrowings and the resulting supply of pork products. Some seasonal patterns in demand influence hog prices, but the major impact is from supply changes. Table I has the monthly cash prices for Omaha barrows and gilts from 1978 through 1997. By reviewing the past price movements during the year, a determination can be made about the chances that prices will increase or decrease during a particular current or future time period.