The Chief Economist with EA Risk says, in spite of the trade tensions between Canada and the United States, pork producers continue to operate within an integrated North American market. Amid the resumption of formal Canada U.S. trade negations and renewed hope for a deal ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, with the exception of the supply managed commodities, most agricultural products have escaped the tariffs.
As part of Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium 2026, set for November 3rd and 4th in Saskatoon, the day-2 keynote address will examine the market outlook for swine sector. Dr. Lee Schulz, the Chief Economist with EA Risk, formerly Ever.Ag Risk Management, says the North American pork sector continues to operate as an integrated industry.
Quote-Dr. Lee Schulz-EA Risk:
From a hog import from Canada standpoint into the United States, we've seen levels of feeder pig imports and barrow and gilt for slaughter imports at the highest level since 2008-2009. Here in 2026 so far, feeder pig imports have been up six and a half percent, barrow and gilt imports have been up almost 30 percent year to date so it shows that that remains very much an integrated system as we look at pork production in North America.Obviously, there's been some trade tensions but we've still seen movements of products.
If you look at pork exports, Canada and the United States kind of serve as both customers, especially when you look at the U.S. and Canada as a customer, but also as competitors and so I think we continue to operate in that landscape but also remain very integrated.
Dr. Schulz acknowledges the market outlook is ever evolving and changing, so some of the things discussed today will remain the same but some things will change as we think about the weeks and months ahead.For more information or to register for Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium 2026, visit saskpork.com.
Source : Farmscape.ca