March 27, 2006

 

US hog imports from Canada up nearly 10 percent

 

 

US hog and feeder pig imports from Canada through the first eleven weeks of 2006 are up nearly 10 percent from the same period a year ago and about four percent above the 52-week average for 2005.

 

The gains so far in 2006 are mainly in the form of feeder pigs, with the US Department of Agriculture's weekly data showing a total of nearly 1.211 million head through mid-March, a gain of 147,000 head, or almost 14 percent, from a year ago.

 

The number of barrows and gilts for slaughter is up only about 7,400 head from last year, while the figure for sows, boars and all other hogs is nearly unchanged.

 

Total swine imports during most weeks of the first quarter of 2005 were below those of the balance of the year. The average weekly figure for the January-March period last year was just over 146,000 head, with a lull during February-March to just 140,500 per week.

 

Industry sources said an anti-dumping duty that was levied by the US on Canadian swine imports in late 2004 and lasted through the first quarter of 2005 likely resulted in more pigs being held in Canada during that time for finishing. However, the anti-dumping duties were overturned in April of last year, and the weekly average for hog and pig imports rebounded to nearly 155,000 for the year.

 

Feeder pig brokers and other hog industry sources say duties levied by Canada on imports of US corn in mid-December of 2005 have significantly increased feed costs to Canadian hog producers, which likely is now causing them to sell more of their feeder pigs to finishers in the US.

 

Swine imports from Canada in 2005 were down about 5.5 percent from the record number of animals brought in during 2004. At the current pace, imports this year appear on track to challenge those of 2004.

 

CATTLE/HOG SLAUGHTERS

 

The USDA estimated this week's cattle slaughter at 583,000 head, compared with 623,000 a week ago and 567,000 a year ago. Year-to-date cattle slaughter is 7.077 million head, up 1.1 percent from 7.000 million a year ago.

 

This week's hog slaughter was pegged at 1.943 million head, down from 2.009 million a week ago and 1.949 million a year ago. Hog slaughter for the year to date was estimated at 23.916 million head, up 0.4 percent from 23.815 million head a year ago.

 

TOTAL MEAT PRODUCTION

 

The USDA estimated total beef, pork and lamb production for the week at 856.3 million pounds, compared with 900.4 million pounds last week and 822.2 million pounds a year ago. Year-to-date combined meat output is 10.481 billion pounds, up 3 percent from a year ago.

 

Broiler/fryer slaughter this week was estimated at 163.777 million head, compared with 162.304 million head a week ago and 151.161 million head a year ago.