Canadian Hog Statistics - Third Quarter 2009

Canadian producers had 7.1 per cent fewer pigs on farm on 1 October 2009 than a year previously, and the breeding herd was down 4.4 per cent, according to the latest quarterly report from Statistics Canada. Over the quarter, the number of pigs exported from Canada dropped by more than 27 per cent compared to the same period in 2008.
calendar icon 3 November 2009
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Highlights

As of 1 October 2009, Canadian farmers had an estimated 11.8 million hogs on their farms, down from 12.7 million on the same date last year.

The number of sows reported on farms reached 1.3 million, down 4.4 per cent from 1 October 2008.

Hog producers exported about 1.6 million hogs during the third quarter of 2009, 27.2 per cent fewer than during same period last year.

Hog Inventories

Hog inventories on Canadian farms declined 7.3 per cent between the third quarter of 2008 and the third quarter of 2009. The main factors in the decline were low market prices, the restructuring of farms and farm closures.

As of 1 October 2009, Canadian farmers had an estimated 11.8 million hogs on their farms. This is down from 12.7 million on the same date last year and down from 14.4 million two years ago. At the same time, the number of farms with hog operations declined from 8,500 to 7,700.

The number of sows reported on farms reached 1.3 million, down 4.4 per cent from 1 October 2008. While the United States is still experiencing efficiency gains in hog production, Canada's investment in hog production has remained stagnant. Combined Canada and US breeding herd inventories continue their decline by 3.5 per cent last year and another 3.4 per cent this year. The US breeding herd accounts for more than 80.0 per cent of the North American breeding stock.

The number of sows anticipated to farrow is expected to continue declining, according to industry. Sows expected to farrow in Canada during the fourth quarter 2009 and the first quarter 2010 are down 6.4 per cent and 3.6 per cent, respectively, from the same period one year prior. Many hog producers reported in the past survey cycle uncertainty of their farrowings intentions. Several producers reported that they are waiting to see if they can make use of the recently announced federal program to leave production.

On 15 August 2009, the Government of Canada announced a restructuring program for hog producers. It includes creation of a loan loss reserve fund for hog producers, a marketing fund and a transition program to help producers leave the industry.

Domestic slaughter of hogs increased 5.9 per cent during the third quarter of 2009 as slaughter capacity improved in some regions.

Hog producers exported an estimated 1.6 million hogs during the third quarter of 2009. Year-to-date exports total 5.0 million head and are down 31.5 per cent from the same period in 2008.

Further Reading

- You can view the full report by clicking here.


November 2009
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