Alberta Premier Alison Redford Signs Agriculture Trade Deal with India

Jan 13, 2014

Agricultural Agreement to Increase Sale of Swine Genetics

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

Alberta’s premier has signed a trade deal with the Indian State of Meghalaya, located in northeastern India, aimed at increasing access to agricultural products between the two regions.

The two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding Sunday, the first day of Alberta Premier Alison Redford’s trade mission to India.

“This region of India has a population of more than 40 million — that’s more than Canada’s population — and it holds huge opportunities for Alberta agriculture producers,” said Redford in a release.

Alberta’s livestock farmers are expected to benefit the most from the new trade deal, which will increase the sale of livestock genetics, particularly swine. “In particular, this means Alberta’s innovative and efficient pork producers will have new and exciting opportunities in India,” explains Redford.

Redford says an agricultural working group will be established to facilitate further trade cooperation, which could lead to other trade opportunities for more agricultural products such as canola, pulses and farm machinery.

Video: What Does 20 MILLION Hogs a Year Look Like?

?? The Multi-Plant System Processing 20 Million Hogs Annually in the Midwest JBS USA operates multiple large-scale pork processing facilities across the Midwest, including major plants in Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana. Combined, these facilities have the capacity to process approximately 20 million hogs annually.

Each plant operates high-speed automated slaughter systems capable of processing up to 20,000 head per day, followed by fabrication lines that break carcasses into primals, sub-primals, and case-ready retail products.

Hog procurement is coordinated through electronic marketing platforms that connect regional contract finishing operations and independent producers to plant demand schedules. This digital procurement system allows for steady supply flow and scheduling efficiency across multiple facilities.

Processing plants incorporate comprehensive food safety systems, including pathogen intervention technologies, rapid chilling processes, and integrated cold-chain management. USDA inspection is embedded throughout the harvest and fabrication stages to ensure regulatory compliance and product integrity. Finished pork products — from bulk primals to retail-ready packaged cuts — are distributed through coordinated logistics networks serving domestic and export markets.