ontario pork news

One of the characteristics of the pork market during the first half of this year was the relative stability in pricing and supply. This was a relief, if not very unusual after the wild rides of 2014 and 2015. Recall that in 2014 no one really knew the real supply impact of the PED outbreak in the U.S. For the most part, the industry seemed to be always on the short side of demand and of expectations. That meant that the industry was usually short of hogs and pork and pricing reacted by exploding to record highs.

November 8th, 2016 webinar featuring expert analysis from Brynn Winegard and Kevin Grier. 

Last year ended and this year started off with an exceptionally large amount of media coverage on rising food prices. Speculation was rampant regarding how high inflation would charge in 2016. One of the main catalysts of the concern was the rapidly depreciating Canadian dollar. The highlight (or nadir, depending on your view) of the coverage was the famed $8 cauliflower.

What does 2016 hold for Canada’s pork market? How much pork—and which cuts—are consumers eating at home? In restaurants? And what are they looking for when buying pork?

The pork sector goes in to 2016 on very solid footing with regard to both supply and demand from a retailer/foodservice perspective.  In addition, the product is very cost/price  competitive with regard to the two main competing meats, beef and chicken and it has performed very well from a margin perspective for merchandisers.