The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said Canadian pork production will decline next year, particularly in Quebec and Ontario.
So will exports to the U.S., said the report from USDA’s Global Agricultural Information Network.
There will be fewer sows, but more piglets will survive as herds recover from outbreaks of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus, it said.
Live exports to the United States will be reduced as producers make adjustments to the reductions in slaughter capacity, it said, likely related to sharp production cuts in Quebec and the closure of some of Olymel’s facilities.
Expanding sow processing in Western Canada will increase sow slaughter numbers and a reduction in cull sow exports. However, sow processing relative to cull sow volumes will remain limited, and the United States will remain integral for processing Canadian cull sows, it said.
Weanling trade will also decline with the smaller pig crop. Pork production in 2024 is forecast to lower slightly from 2023 as the closure of the Olymel plant concludes at the end of December 2023.
Pork exports will be further reduced from 2024 on lowered production and sustained domestic demand, it said.
