Canada Hogs on the Increase

May 7, 2002

Hog numbers in western Canada continue to increase relatively faster than in Canada's eastern provinces and in the United States. According to the U.S. embassy in Ottawa, Statistics Canada reported that Canadian hog inventories on April 1 were 4.1% more than the same date a year earlier.

Western farmers were responsible for the entire expansion. Hog numbers in Canada's western provinces increased 11% from a year ago to a record 5.8 million. Manitoba alone was responsible for a 16% increase as producers responded to strong demand from both sides of the U.S.-Canada border.

The number of hogs in eastern Canada dipped 1% below year earlier level on April 1, but eastern provinces still accounted for 56% of Canada's total hog herd. The Canadian hog sector has expanded by more than 30% since 1990.

Inventories in Western provinces climbed 48 percent during that period, while Eastern expansion was limited to 19%. During the same time frame, Statistics Canada said there was a 15% increase in the number of hogs on U.S. holdings.