International Trade: Why It’s Important to U.S. Pork Producers

In honor of World Trade Month, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is highlighting the important role international trade plays for U.S. pork farmers and the U.S. economy.

What’s the word: “U.S. pork farmers have built a global reputation for providing domestic and foreign markets with high-quality, safe, and affordable pork products,” said Lori Stevermer, NPPC’s President-elect and pork producer from MN. “To grow exports and support high-paying jobs in rural communities, the United States must open new and expand existing markets through trade agreements, trade and investment framework agreements, and market access deals.”

“It is important that the United States maintain current markets but extend preferential trade agreements to smaller and lesser-developed countries,” added Stevermer. “Over the past decade we have seen how dependent we have become to foreign markets – we export more to the 20 countries we have a free trade agreement than to the rest of the world combined. Trade market access can make enormous impacts for American pork farmers making the U.S. more globally competitive by boosting exports, supporting jobs, and offering nutritious and affordable pork products.”