The sensitivities of people in other countries may sometimes seem like annoying impediments to trade, says the head of Canada Pork International.
However, Jacques Pomerleau recently told the Manitoba Pork Council annual meeting that they are also key marketing advantages for Canadian hog producers.
He said Canada’s industry is better designed to meet foreign buyers’ particular concerns than its competitors, which may eventually help open up new markets, such as India.
“They don’t want their gods to be fed to pigs,” said Pomerleau said about India’s unique concerns as a potential buyer of Canadian pork.
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Exporters to India would need to guarantee that pork did not come from hogs fed ruminant-based ingredients.
Pomerleau said Canadian pork producers have been dramatically increasing their international sales since 1991, but there is still much opportunity to expand further.
At the same time, barriers to trade continue to evolve and must be consistently attacked.
He said India is an example of a big market that few think about.
“Although nobody really thinks of India being a good market for meats, it is really beef that is not a market for us. Pork is a different story,” Pomerleau said.
“India could eventually represent a good market for us.”
Countries such as Japan and South Korea have been rattled by health scares, so they have tough health standards.
However, because Canada has a good inspection service and the industry follows tough, self-imposed guidelines, Canada could be a key supplier to those markets.
