August 20, 2004

Canada's Hog Inventory Increases From Year Ago
 
Canada's hog inventories as of July 1 totalled 14.838 million head, up 1.4% from 14.631 million at the same time a year ago, and 1.9% higher than the April 1 level of 14.558 million, according to figures released by Statistics Canada Thursday.
 
The government agency said the exports during the latest quarter jumped by 42.8%, meaning that some 2.5 million more animals were shipped than during the same period the previous year.
 
Statistics Canada said prices for hogs were weak in much of 2002 and 2003. However, values dropped considerably during the second half of 2003 following a brief rally last summer. From June to December 2003, prices fell over 25%. Since then, 2004 prices have rebounded.
 
On March 5, 2004, spurred by rising exports, the National Pork Producers Council in the U.S. filed for anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Canadian hogs. The applications were made to both the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission. These actions added an element of uncertainty to the market place, the agency said.
 
     Canada:  Quarterly pigs on farm. Source: Statistics Canada
       -Figures in 000 head
                                        Canada    2004-03
July 1, 20043 inventory                     PCT
--All Hogs and Pigs              14,939.0    101.4
 Breeding Stock                  1,630.6      102.6
 Sows & Bred Gilts              1,592.9      102.8
 Boars, 6 mnths & over             37.7     94.5
--All other pigs                   13,207.4    101.3
 under 20 kg                       4,657.8     103.6
 20-60 kg                           4,356.5     99.6
 over 60-kg                        4,193.1     100.6
 
April 1, 2004 inventory                     PCT
--All Hogs and Pigs             14,558.0     99.9
 Breeding Stock                 1,628.8     102.7
 Sows & Bred Gilts             1,590.5     102.8
 Boars, 6 mnths & over           38.3     95.5
--All other pigs                  12,929.2     99.6
 under 20 kg                      4,457.9    102.0
 20-60 kg                          4,310.3     97.3
 over 60-kg                       4,161.0     99.5
 
January 1, 2004 inventory                   PCT
 All Hogs and Pigs             14,623.0     99.7
 Breeding Stock                1,617.3     103.1
 Sows & Bred Gilts            1,578.1     103.4
 Boars, 6 mnths & over          39.2     94.0
 -All other pigs                 13,005.7     99.3
 under 20 kg                    4,548.0     104.7
 20-60 kg                        4,266.7      96.3
 over 60 kg                      4,191.0     96.8
 
                                          2003-02
October 1, 2003 inventory                   PCT
-All Hogs and Pigs              14,612.5     97.9
 Breeding Stock                 1,598.4     103.0
 Sows & Bred Gilts             1,558.7     103.3
 Boars, 6 mnths & over           39.7     93.6
 -All other pigs                  13,014.1    97.3
 under 20 kg                    4,577.8     102.8
 20-60 kg                        4,219.3       93.0
 over 60 kg                     4,217.0       96.1
 
July 1, 2003 inventory                      PCT
-All Hogs and Pigs              14,630.5    99.7
 Breeding Stock                 1,589.8    102.7
 Sows & Bred Gilts             1,549.9    103.0
 Boars, 6 mnths & over           39.9    91.9
 -All other pigs                  13,040.7   99.4
 under 20 kg                    4,496.5    101.5
 20-60 kg                        4,375.2     96.2
 over 60 kg                     4,169.0     100.7