Canada eyes swine genetics expansion

The Canadian Swine Exporters Association says expanding the market for Canadian swine genetics will benefit both the Canadian suppliers and the foreign buyers, according to analysts.

The Canadian Swine Exporters Association represents Canada's suppliers of purebred swine genetics including live animals and fresh and frozen semen.

Last month, as part of federal support announced for the Canadian pork industry, the association received funding to go after new markets including the EU, Russia and Latin America.

Association executive director Rosemary Smart said expanding the market for Canadian genetics is a win-win situation, noting that the benefits are for Canada in bringing in foreign dollars into the economy.

Smart also said that the country's purebred producers are able to sell to the foreign markets some of their purebred breeding stock, which helps the economy from the farm gate through the sale from shipping the pigs and the exporter that's making the sale.

In addition, he noted that it is a five year marketing strategy and, while not every contact results in a sale right away, the association is looking to make significant sales over the next five years.