Better Pork February 2017

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14 Better Pork February 2017
EXPORT MARKETS
Canada’s hog producers supply
arguably some of the highest
quality pork products in the
world. The quality of the meat and
farmers’ care of the animals is
reflected in Canada’s strong presence
in the world of export markets.
Canada is the third-largest export-
er of pork products and meat world-
wide, says César Urias, director, Latin
America and government programs
management, at Canada Pork Inter-
national.
“In 2015, Canadian pork exports
valued $3.4 billion,” says Urias.
Canada’s global position has not
always been the way it is today, as we
now have numerous dependable
export markets, says Gary Stordy,
public relations manager at the
Canadian Pork Council.
“Historically, we used to be very
dependent on the United States,” he
says. “Over the past 10 to 15 years,
Canada has tried to diversify where
we ship pork to.”
Motria Savaryn-Roy, economist for
Export Development Canada, echoes
these thoughts.
“Canada’s
export of hogs,
slaughtered
animal meat and
processed meat
has grown at an
annual average
rate of around 3
per cent,” says
Savaryn-Roy.
“This growth was
due primarily to
the export of
slaughtered and processed meat, as
exports of (live) hogs fell somewhat
over the same period.”
Growth in the global demand for
both meat and new markets has
opened opportunities for Canadian
pork, says Savaryn-Roy.
To Stordy, new markets are always
an opportunity to strengthen Cana-
da’s position because the possibilities
of market volatility and the decline in
exports to a specific country always
exist.
“We ship (pork) to well
over 100 countries. (Creat-
ing a secure environment)
is one of the main reasons
why we as an industry are
very keen on improving
market access.
“By creating new trade
agreements, or revisiting
existing trade agreements,
we are allowing our indus-
try to have the flexibility to
find where we get the most
value,” says Stordy.
Export markets
Many countries import Canadian
pork, all for differing reasons, and
they each select different products.
Japan, Mexico, the United States
and China are the major importers of
Canadian pork, says Stordy.
“In 2015, Canada exported $457
Canadian pork valued abroad
Beginning with the management techniques of producers and ending with unique international
markets, Canada has a strong export program.
by JENNIFER JACKSON
César Urias
On-farm programs such as the Verified Canadian Pork program allows
Canada to market safe, quality products.
César Urias/Canada Pork International photo