The Manitoba Pork sector saw a rallying year in 2024.
"We saw significant improvement in margins, and that was because both the price of hogs went up, the price of isoweans -the little pigs- went up, and the price of feed went down. It'd been at least 2 years that were very difficult. it was good to see that fiscal situation improve."
That's Cam Dahl, executive director of Manitoba Pork Producers, looking back on the overall good year.
Dahl notes that the great prices were complimented by a much lower rate of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) than expected. He notes that improved communication and biosecurity were a key factor.
Dahl is feeling less confident about the year to come, as there is currently a wash of uncertainty in many instances.
"Manitoba exports 90% of the 8 million pigs we raise here every year, and the international markets are critically important to us. We're seeing threats of trade tariffs coming in from the US, escalation of trade tension and political tension with China, We're seeing uncertainty because of what's happening in Ukraine."
While the year is still young, it's starting on a rather tense note for international trade.
You can hear the full conversation with Cam Dahl next week on the Noon-hour Edition Of Agriview.
