October 28, 2005

 

Canada's hog inventories up from year ago
 

 

Canada's hog inventories as of Oct 1 totalled 14.91 million head, up from the 14.66 million at the same time a year ago but down from the record level of 14.98 million head on Jul 1, 2005, figures released Thursday by Statistics Canada revealed.

 

The government agency said Canadian hog inventories slumped during the third quarter of 2005 in the wake of declining exports.

 

Although exports in 2005 have been at historically high levels, they have declined from last year's peak, Stats Canada said. During the first nine months of 2005, hog exports dropped 7.5 percent compared to the same period in 2004.

 

Fewer exports have led to higher inventories of market hogs to be fed in Canada, the government agency said. Market hogs climbed 1.7 percent over the year to reach 13.3 million hogs while the breeding herd rose a more modest 0.9 percent.

 

Prices for hogs weakened in 2004, even though anti-dumping duties were lifted following an Apr 6, 2005, negative determination by the International Trade Commission, Stats Canada said. Q3 prices were 15.8 percent lower than the same quarter in 2004.

 

Domestic slaughter declined modestly this year, the government agency said. During the first nine months of 2005, hog slaughter slipped 0.4 percent over the same period in 2004.

 

Stats Canada said weaker prices and lower exports will present challenges to the hog industry, although they will continue to benefit from efficient production and low feed costs.

 

Canada: Quarterly pigs on farm. Source: Statistics Canada

 

                                   Figures in '000 head

 

                                     Canada     2005/04

October 1, 2005 inventory                 PERCENT

-All Hogs and Pigs             14,910.0    101.7

Breeding Stock                 1,642.1     100.9

Sows & Bred Gilts              1,607.8    101.0

Boars, 6 months & over        34.3       96.1

-All other pigs                  13,267.9    101.8

under 20 kg                     4,532.6     101.0

20-60 kg                         4,596.7     105.4

over 60 kg                       4,128.6       98.7

 

July 1, 2005 inventory                     PERCENT

-All Hogs and Pigs             14,976.0    100.9

Breeding Stock                 1,648.6      100.7

Sows & Bred Gilts             1,614.2      100.9

Boars, 6 mnths & over           34.4     93.2

-All other pigs                  13,327.4      101.0

under 20 kg                     4,726.2       101.1

20-60 kg                         4,440.3        102.3

over 60 kg                      4,160.9        99.4

 

April 1, 2005 inventory                     PERCENT

-All Hogs and Pigs             14,782.0    101.5

Breeding Stock                 1,647.4     101.1

Sows & Bred Gilts             1,613.0     101.3

Boars, 6 mnths & over          34.4     91.5

-All other pigs                  13,134.6    101.6

under 20 kg                    4,633.3     104.5

20-60 kg                         4,409.7     99.6

over 60-kg                      4,091.6      100.6

 

January 1, 2005 inventory                  PERCENT

-All Hogs and Pigs            14,675.0    100.4

Breeding Stock                 1,647.5    101.9

Sows & Bred Gilts              1,613.1    102.2

Boars, 6 mnths & over         34.4       88.7

-All other pigs                 13,027.6    100.2

under 20 kg                    4,543.3     99.9

20-60 kg                        4,272.4     99.4

over 60-kg                     4,211.8    101.2

 

                                          2004/03

                                          PERCENT

October 1, 2004 inventory

All Hogs and Pigs              14,665.0    100.4

Breeding Stock                 1,627.0    101.8

Sows & Bred Gilts             1,591.3    102.1

Boars, 6 mnths & over          35.7     90.8

-All other pigs                  13,038.0    100.2

under 20 kg                     4,486.1    100.9

20-60 kg                          4,359.2    100.9

over 60 kg                       4,192.7     98.7