Trading was quiet in the animal protein market on Tuesday September 3, with no changes reported. Several market sources expected there to be price pressure ahead due to expectations of higher slaughter levels into the fourth quarter.

Fastmarkets assessed bloodmeal, porcine, fob IA/MO/NE at $1,025-1,100 per short ton, steady from Friday. A trade at $900 per short ton was reported in light volume, but most participants indicated a very sluggish market and limited trade volume for the start of the shortened week, keeping prices flat.

Cattle slaughter
Fastmarkets’ research team forecasts cattle slaughter at 612,000 head for the week to September 7, up by 1.60% week on week but down by 9.68% year on year.

Cattle slaughter finished last week at an estimated 550,000 head, down by 1.6% compared with the same week in 2023 and by 10.57% from the week prior due to the long Labor Day weekend.

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