Hog farmers brace for "tumultuous" time amid rebounding pork demand

“It's a pretty tumultuous time,” said Brian Duncan, vice president of the Illinois Farm Bureau. “We're trying to hang on to some profits.”
U.S. hog farmers said they’re competing with a recovering Chinese hog industry while also handling regional droughts affecting feed production and meatpacking plant slowdowns.
Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images

China's scramble for global pork supplies could mean price hikes for Americans

Oct 10, 2019
The country has lost more than half of its pig heard to African swine fever, according to some estimates.
Smithfield Foods, a Chinese-owned company, is warning of a pork shortage. Smithfield owns the Farmland brand, shown above at a supermarket in Los Angeles in 2013.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Why China wants to stock more than 200,000 tons of pork

May 30, 2019
Some countries stockpile grain and petroleum. China has both, plus a national pork reserve.
A local meat market in Shanghai is dominated by pork stands. Pork is a staple in the Chinese diet and accounts for 70% of all meat consumed in China.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace

China's threatened tariffs on pork are hurting American hog farmers

Apr 4, 2018
"I think the psychology has negatively impacted the hog market," one Illinois farmer says.
Hog farmers like to “market everything but the squeal,” Bran Duncan says.
Carsten Koall/Getty Images)

China targets U.S. pig imports

Apr 8, 2014
China has imposed tough restrictions on live pigs imports from the U.S.

Deadly virus among piglets puts hog farmers on alert

Jul 12, 2013
The virus is deadly for piglets less than a week old. Suspected to come from China, it does not affect humans.

For public good, not for profit.

Burger King moves to 'cage-free' eggs and pork

Apr 26, 2012
The fast-food giant will move away from tightly packed chickens and pigs within five years. Farmers and consumers will feel the impact.