September 8, 2004

Lower Feeder Pig Exports From Canada's Ontario To US

Shipments of early-weaned pigs and feeder pigs from Canada's Ontario to the U.S. have been lower since early March of this year.

According to Statistics Canada data, about four percent fewer animals have been sent across the border than during the first five months of 2003. Shipments have decreased as the year moved on.

More recent USDA data suggests that since the beginning of June, about 10 percent fewer feeder pigs and early weans were shipped to the U.S. from Ontario border crossing points than during the same period in 2003.

The lower export numbers have not really affected U.S. production, which remains close to three percent higher than last year's levels.

However, with an average of approximately 1,800 fewer weaners and feeder pigs crossing the border each week from the beginning of March to the end of May, these animals have likely been finished in Ontario or in Quebec.

With regards to where these pigs have been finished, Statistics Canada's April inventory report found that Ontario's breeding herd had grown by four percent from a year earlier while Quebec's breeding herd remained steady.

As Quebec market hog supplies are up nearly seven percent since last year and Ontario supplies have only increased by two percent, it is likely that many pigs are being shipped from Ontario to be finished in Quebec.

On the whole, with an increased breeding herd and fewer pigs leaving Ontario to be finished in the U.S., Ontario and Quebec can expect another autumn with plentiful market hog supplies.