Production, Processing and Markets: Issues and Challenges for the Pork Industry was discussed as part of Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium 2013 in Saskatoon.

Olymel president Rejean Nadeau says the strong Canadian dollar compared to ten years ago and increased competition, especially from the United States, have forced Canadian processors to cut costs to remain competitive.

Rejean Nadeau-Olymel

We do market our product domestically both in Canada and US for a big part but the other market that we serve, I would say first is Japan.

We have an office in Japan since I would say 30 to 35 years so we have a big volume in Japan both from western and eastern Canada.

Australia is a market where we are.

We also have an office in Australia and recently over the last few years Russia has been very important.

I think demand from Asia will continue to grow.

Canada is a big country, especially western Canada.

We have space, we have water, there's room for development, for growth.

Grain prices are competitive if we compare to the rest of the world so there is no reason why we can not participate in this growing demand internationally.

Mr Nadeau says, long-term, the tentative Canada-European Union free trade agreement is positive but in the short-term, what rules will apply is unknown and it will take another two years of negotiation before the agreement is finalised, but it is a step in the right direction.