NASS: More and More Pigs in U.S. and Canada

The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reports U.S. and Canadian hog inventories were up by 2% for all hogs and pigs in December 2017, at a total of 87.6 million head. This is 2% higher than a year earlier and 6% higher than 2015.

At 7.45 million head, the U.S. and Canadian breeding herd inventory was up 1% from a year earlier as well.

Market hog inventory for the two countries was 80.1 million head, up 3% from last year and up 6% from 2015, NASS reported. The semi-annual pig crop, at 80.8 million head, was up 2 percent from 2016 and up 5 percent from 2015. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 7.47 million head, up 2 percent from last year and up 3 percent from 2015.

U.S. Inventories Growing
The U.S. inventory of all hogs and pigs was 73.2 million head on December 1 of last year, which was up 2% from December 1, 2016 but down slightly from the previous quarter on September 1, 2017. The breeding inventory, at 6.18 million head, was up 1% from last year, and up 1% from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 67.1 million head, was up 2% from last year. The pig crop, at 33.4 million head, was up 3% from 2016 and up 8% from 2015.

Canada is Higher, Too
It appears the industry is growing at a slighter faster pace north of the border. Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs on January 1, 2018 was 14.3 million head. This is 3% higher than January 1, 2017 and up 5% from January 1, 2016. The breeding inventory, at 1.27 million head, was up 1% from last year and up 3% from 2016.

Canadian market hog inventory, at 13.1 million head, was up 3% from last year and up 5% from 2016. The semi-annual pig crop, at 14.3 million head, was up 1% from 2017 but down 3% from 2016. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 1.26 million head, up 3% from last year.

New packing plants will help handle the additional volume of pigs in both countries, but export markets will be pivotal in maintaining profitability for pig farmers.

This article was first published on https://www.fjfnews.com.