Forward hog contracts are holding steady, according to the director of risk management with Hams Marketing Services.

Tyler Fulton says there is a lot of uncertainty in the market on the demand side.

"In general, the trend has been sideways, but we're seeing greater fluctuations in prices and so I think with the factors that are really up in the air, largely demand related to exports, I think that's what may be contributing to that volatility," he explained.

Fulton adds the US cash markets are generally under pressure and are also seeing price fluctuations, adding there is an approximate four per cent increase in hog numbers year-over-year. He says there will be two new packers coming on stream over the course of the next six to eight months in the US, which will see packer margins shrink and producers keeping a larger share because of increased competition.

Fulton is advising hog producers to build a hedge position, especially for the fall months, which offer some good pricing opportunities given the current uncertainty.