China’s sow population is down 22 percent over a year ago and the country is projected to be down 150 million to 200 million hogs this year, much of it due to African Swine Fever. Minnesota Pork Producers President Greg Boerboom says in the short term, China can fill their own pork needs but later this summer there may be an opportunity for the U.S. to export pork depending somewhat on what happens with the trade talks.
He says other countries, such as in South America are also trying to export pork to China but the U.S. could see an indirect benefit from those sales.
Boerboom says best thing the government can do is get trade deals approved rather than trying to prop up agriculture with the Market Facilitation Program or other assistance.
Boerboom says if the tariffs and trade war could be resolved the U.S. could fully concentrate on free trade.
