Love for Bacon Pushing Pork Belly Prices to Record Highs

America loves its bacon, and that love is pushing pork belly prices to record highs. Prices for the part of the hog that’s used to make bacon have jumped roughly 80 percent higher this year. This comes in spite of frozen reserves at a low not seen in sixty years. Market research firm Nielsen says Americans bought 14 percent more …

Germany Pork Consumption at 11 Year Low

Pork consumption in Germany has fallen to an 11 year low, as the nation is cutting back on the world-recognized Bratwurst and hot dogs in favor for more vegetables. Bloomberg News reports Germans last year consumed the smallest amount of pork since at least 2005, and the drop will continue in 2017. Pork still accounts for more than half the …

Red Meat Export Momentum Continues

U.S. red meat (beef and pork) exports had a strong month of May, increasing significantly from April as well as from 2016 levels. USDA statistics compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation show pork exports reached more than 222,000 metric tons. That’s an 11 percent year-over-year increase and the fourth largest monthly volume on record. Pork exports were valued at …

41 PEDV Sites Confirmed in Manitoba

The Manitoba Pork Council confirms 41 sites in the province have tested positive in a Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus outbreak. The southeast part of the province is where the outbreak is centered. A National Hog Farmer Dot Com article says officials have confirmed PEDV on 18 operations representing over 54,000 sows. It’s also been confirmed on seven nurseries representing over …

Pork Industry Expanding in Response to Strong Demand

A new report out from CoBank says rising global demand for pork and stronger profitability will create a strong incentive for American pork processors to expand their capacity. Increased competition among processors may lead to a tightening of packer margins and give producers much more favorable prices in the months ahead. CoBank economist Trevor Amen says, “U.S. pork processing capacity …

Questions about GIPSA Rule

The Department of Agriculture’s extended comment period for the Obama-era rules to reform the buying and selling of livestock and poultry expired this past Monday. The rule is set to take effect October 19th under the Trump Administration’s new timeline, but there’s still uncertainty over its fate. So the question now is, will the so-called GIPSA marketing rule that’s divided …

Pork Checkoff Builds Momentum for Secure Pork Supply Plan

Plan will minimize business disruption from foreign animal diseases The National Pork Board, with major support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is creating a Secure Pork Supply Plan to help America’s pig farmers respond quickly and successfully to a major threat, such as a foreign animal disease (FAD). The plan will enhance communication and coordination of all pork chain …