Hog inventories

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Hog inventories on Canadian farms declined 7.3% between the third quarter of 2008 and the third quarter of 2009. The main factors in the decline were low market prices, the restructuring of farms and farm closures.

As of October 1, 2009, Canadian farmers had 11.8 million hogs on their farms, down from 12.7 million on the same date last year. At the same time, the number of farms with hog operations declined from 8,500 to 7,700.

The number of sows reported on farms reached 1.3 million, down 4.4% from October 1, 2008. The number of sows anticipated to farrow is expected to continue declining, according to the industry.

Hog producers exported about 1.6 million hogs during the third quarter of 2009, down 27.2% from the same period last year. During the same period, domestic slaughter of hogs increased 5.9% as slaughter capacity improved in some regions.

Available on CANSIM: tables 003-0004, 003-0087 to 003-0090, 003-0092 and 003-0093.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 3460.

The third quarter 2009 issue of Hog Statistics, Vol. 8, no. 4 (23-010-X, free), is now available. From the Publications page of our website, under All subjects, choose Agriculture.

For more information, contact Client Services (toll-free 1-800-465-1991). To enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Robert Plourde (613-951-8716; robert.plourde@statcan.gc.ca), Agriculture Division.