China’s import prices have been rising since last year and have even driven up international pork prices. Analysts expect this to continue this year, but Cesar Urias, market access and government programs management director for Canada Pork International, takes a more nuanced approach. Urias said those forecasts may have been reasonable last year, when pork […] Read more
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Research shows feed can spread PED
Simulation of overseas shipment revealed the deadly hog virus can survive in soybean meal for several weeks
BANFF, Alta. — The virus that causes deadly porcine epidemic diarrhea virus is proving to be a pesky survivor that can cross the ocean and remain viable in feed. PED has killed millions of piglets in the United States since 2013 and has also infected more than 100 barns in Canada, primarily in Ontario and […] Read more
Pampered Canadian pigs feed Japan’s hunger for pricey pork
WINNIPEG/TOKYO (Reuters) — Thousands of pigs bound for Japan are getting five-star treatment on select Canadian farms. Japan’s growing appetite for pricey pork cuts is driving Canadian and U.S. fresh pork exports to record levels, spurring producers to use every advantage to gain market share. Most of Olymel’s pigs eat pedestrian wheat and barley fare, […] Read more
China exports key to North American hog sector profits
Chinese producers liquidated herds because of higher feed costs and now soaring pork prices are attracting imports
DES MOINES, Iowa — China watcher Dermot Hayes is betting on booming Chinese demand for imported pork, which should create good prices for hog farmers. Chinese government policies have created a production shortfall that the giant pork-eating nation can’t fill this year. “The market will be good this fall, that should stay around for a […] Read more
Program touts domestic pork
Canada Pork campaign aims to reduce exports by promoting quality and providing food safety assurances
OTTAWA — One-third of all pork consumed in Canada is imported and the industry has created a program to encourage Canadians to eat domestic pork. Canadian farmers produce two million tonnes of pork a year, of which 1.15 million tonnes were exported in 2014. Another 193,400 tonnes were imported, mostly from the United States. “Canada […] Read more
Hog rally threatened, says analyst
Bouncing off a bottom feels great if the bounce keeps going, but some analysts haven’t changed their generally dim view of the longer-term hog market situation. “My sense is that it’s going to be a grind to get much higher here, but I’ve been humbled in the last month,” said Tyler Fulton, markets expert with […] Read more
Hog producers see profits, but tougher times ahead
U.S. production rebounding after PED | Analysts tell producers to increase management efficiency and prepare for tighter margins next year
Lower feed costs and higher hog prices mean this year should be one for the record books, says an industry official. However, there are signs that smaller margins are on the horizon. “I’ve been in the industry since 1975 and this is far and away the most profitable year we’ve had over that time period,” […] Read more
Analyst warns of long-term damage of PED, COOL
Hog shortages | Economist says effects of disease and policy will hurt consumer demand
High prices for Manitoba weanlings are just one of the unintended consequences of country-of-origin labelling (COOL) for American farmers, says economist Al Mussell. But a general shrinking of demand for pork is the long-term consequence that helps nobody in the North American hog industry, including those who pushed for COOL. “Markets continue to adjust. What’s […] Read more
Industry officials asking questions in wake of PED
Porcine epidemic diarrhea | Hog numbers and prices unstable
Hog prices continue to groan with uncertainty as the wrenches thrown by porcine epidemic diarrhea continue to clatter around inside the market’s gears. Will pig numbers and weights suddenly shrink, after holding up against expectations for months? Will PED come back, or is that problem fixed? Has the sky-high prices of spring and summer affected […] Read more
Pork officials meet with decision makers in food sector
DES MOINES, Iowa — Skilled, well-financed and professional activist campaigns have pushed grocery and fast food chains to announce gestation stall bans. Those companies are also facing campaigns over antibiotics, sustainability and other animal welfare issues. But the U.S. National Pork Producers Council thinks it finally has a good shot at protecting farmers better in […] Read more
