Quick Stats
Production
- In 2009 approximately 2 million pigs were produced on farms in Saskatchewan. This consists of 1.5 million market animals and 500,000 feeder pigs exported to the U.S.
- In 2009, Saskatchewan had 119 individuals/companies producing hogs on 193 active units.
- In 2009, Saskatchewan produced 7 percent of all pigs in Canada.
-
Saskatchewan is the 5th largest producer of hogs in Canada behind Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, and Alberta.
-
Canada as a whole accounts for less than two percent of world pork production
-
Saskatchewan has one of the lowest concentrations of pigs per square mile of arable farmland in the world at 16.6. This compares favourably to many jurisdictions including Alberta (41.3), Manitoba (142.7), Iowa (457.3), and Denmark (1459.3).
Trade
-
Saskatchewan exports significant quantities of pork and live pigs inter-provincially and internationally. In fact, residents of Saskatchewan consume only 18 percent of the market hogs produced in the province.
- Canada is the world’s third largest exporter of pork, accounting for 19 percent of the pork trade world-wide in 2009. Only the United States and European Union export more.
- Japan and the U.S. are Canada’s largest export markets for pork and pork products, purchasing 33 and 32 percent of Canada’s pork exports respectively in 2009.
- The U.S. continues to be an important destination for Saskatchewan market hogs and feeder pigs. In 2009, Saskatchewan exported approximately 63,000 animals for slaughter, and 500,000 feeder pigs.
Pricing/Slaughter
- The prices Saskatchewan producers receive for hogs at western Canadian packing plants are derived via formula from major U.S. markets.
- In 2009, the average price received by Saskatchewan producers was approximately $116/hog ($1.16/kg). Over the past five years, prices have averaged $128/hog ($1.25/kg).
- At its height in 2003, Saskatchewan pork packing industry slaughtered 1.15 million hogs. Federally inspected slaughter occurred at the Mitchell’s Gourmet Foods facility in Saskatoon (closed in spring 2007), and at the Moose Jaw plant (closed in spring 2005).
- Saskatchewan’s remaining slaughter facilities a combination of smaller federal, provincial, and health region inspected plants. In 2009, these plants slaughtered over 46,000 animals.
Economic Benefits
- Hog production is the third most significant agricultural sector in Saskatchewan behind the grains and oilseeds sector, and beef production.
- In 2009, Saskatchewan hog producers had cash receipts of $182 million. This accounted for 2 percent of total agriculture sales in Saskatchewan, and 12 percent of total livestock sales.
- Hog production generates significant community spinoffs in processing, trucking, and construction.
- A typical farrow-finish production unit incurs 71% of its expenditures within 80 km of the barns.
- A typical 600-sow farrow-finish barn spends roughly over $2 million per year on direct expenses.
Where does the hog industry spend its money? (2010)
Feed: $108 million (43% of total expenses)
Saskatchewan hog producers annually use over 740,000 tonnes of local feed grains (wheat, barley and field peas) worth $90 million. Producers purchase a further $45 million of protein sources (canola meal, canola oil and soy meal), vitamins, minerals, processing and pre-mixed feeds.
Salaries: $42 million (17% of total expenses)
Hog production in the province provides meaningful employment for nearly 1,000 barn staff and 200 management and support staff, a majority located in rural areas of the province. Annually, these employees earn $54 million in salary and benefits.
Transportation: $16 million (6% of total expenses)
Both feed and finished animals require transport. Pork producers incur feed transportation costs of $5.2 million and hog transportation costs of $15 million.
Breeding Stock: $16 M (6% of total expense)
Saskatchewan is home to the world’s leading swine genetics companies. Hog producers in Saskatchewan annually purchase over $15 million in breeding stock and semen, but this is only a small part of the business genetics companies bring to the province.
Other Inputs and Local Services: $22 million (9% of total expenses)
Other items include utilities, marketing, veterinary supplies and services, manure application, ongoing maintenance, and taxes.
