09/29/2026
THE HOG MARKET IS FLOODED đ AND HEREâS WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW âŹď¸
The hog market right now is absolutely flooded with pigs. Breeding stock, boars, feeder pigs, weaner pigs, alI of it. A lot of farmers are getting out of pigs altogether and selling off entire herds. Some are downsizing. Some are just trying to survive another year
There are a lot of really nice weaner pigs out there looking for new homes, ours included.
And a huge portion of whatâs flooding the market right now are Kune Kunes, and other small, slowâgrowing lardâtype hogs like them.
These breeds became extremely popular with new homesteaders, and now there are far more pigs than buyers.
Reasons people bought them include:
⢠âEasyâ starter pig. It is marketed as small, friendly, and lowâmaintenance.
⢠Pastureâbased marketing. Many were told Kunes can thrive mostly on grass (true to a point, but often oversold).
⢠Social media hype. Influencers pushed them as the perfect backyard pig.
⢠Breeding craze. I have seen people buying pairs or trios thinking theyâd make money selling litters.
How this can hurt the market â ď¸
⢠Too many pigs, not enough buyers. Basic supply and demand.
⢠Prices crash. Especially for Kunes, because so many are being sold at âplease take themâ prices.
⢠Local farmers get undercut. When Kunes are sold cheap or given away, it drags down perceived value of all pigs, even commercial breeds.
⢠Rescues get overwhelmed. Many Kunes end up surrendered when people realize theyâre still pigs: they root, they eat, they need fencing, they need vet care.
This isnât the pigsâ fault. Itâs the result of a trend meeting reality.
Prices are high for everyone and triple for farmers đ°
Feed costs are up. Fuel is up. Fencing, lumber, vet care â all of it. Farmers feel those increases threefold because weâre feeding entire herds, not one animal. When you see a pig price and think, âWow, thatâs high,â trust me, the farmer already paid that price three times before you ever showed up.
Quality pigs are still worth investing in đľ
Even in a flooded market, good pigs matter. Good genetics matter. Good husbandry matters. Buying from someone who actually knows their animals, their feed program, and their breeding goals will always pay off in healthier, easierâtoâraise pigs.
Every time a farmer sells out their breeding stock, thatâs a generation of knowledge walking out the barn door. Once itâs gone, it doesnât come back easily.
And just to be clearâŚ
This isnât me complaining because our pigs arenât selling. Because they are selling. Slowly. You can see it across the internet right now, good pigs sitting idle.
We also understand that basic living expenses are high right now â fuel, groceries, everything. Choosing to buy farmâraised meat or raise an animal for your own dinner table might be something families put on the side.
And before the Kune Kune and other breeders jump in my comments, my hogs and Kunes are not the same thing.
Different genetics, different purpose, different market. If youâre wanting pigs, buy local.
Talk to farmers.
Ask questions.
If youâre wanting pork in your freezer, consider teaming up with neighbors or family members and split the costs.
The taste and the quality is worth it đŠˇ
