An Empirical Analysis of the Demand for Wholesale Pork Primals: Seasonality and Structural Change

This study focuses on estimating wholesale pork primal demand relationships in order to determine their own-quantity flexibilities, whether these flexibilities have changed over time, and seasonal price fluctuations. A set of equations for pork loin, rib, butt, ham, pork belly, and picnic primals was estimated. Monthly data over an 11-year period were used to determine that own-quantity flexibilities varied across months, that they increased in absolute value over time for some primal cuts, and cold-storage stocks were used as an inventory control measure to reduce price variation for some primal cuts.