Inside: Pig Market
Canadian pig exports beat US in China
Canada exported more pork to China in the first quarter than the United States. Over the past 20 years, that is a rarity.
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The reason for that? Canada is effective in reducing ractopamine. In addition, Chinese demand is lucrative for Canadian meat exporters.
93.000
ton
Chinese import drive
The Canadian pig sector recorded a significant volume gain on the world market last year. On balance, exports increased by almost 9 percent to 1,35 million tons. The Chinese import drive is clearly noticeable in Canada. Canada also had a dominant presence in China in the first quarter of 2017. In total, Canadians exported 93.000 tons of pork to China, while exports from the US recorded 87.500 tons.
In 2013, the US exported twice as much as Canadian exports. European exports to China recorded just under 400.000 tons in the first quarter of 2017. Canada has a purchasing price advantage compared to European exporters. In the first 5 months of this year, the pig price fluctuated between 1,05 euros and 1,40 euros per kilo.
Almost ractopamine free
A strong reduction in the drug "ractopamine" is the reason for the Canadian catch-up. This growth hormone has been banned in China since 2002. The drug is reportedly rarely administered to Canadian pigs. The pig sector in the US is also trying to reduce the drug. However, the drug is still administered to approximately half of the American pig herd.
Price of pork trotters doubled
Exporting pork to China is very lucrative for Canadian exporters. In the past 2 years, the price of pig feet has doubled to 1,85 euros per kilo. Normally, the value of a pig carcass in Canada is about $180. Thanks to Chinese demand for by-products, the carcass value has increased by at least $10. This is what Sunterra Meats from Alberta said.
Knowledge session pig market and politics
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- Pieter Post (DCA market expert).
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