Tariffs talk front, centre at Manitoba Pork annual meeting

Manitoba Pork opened the floor of its annual general meeting Thursday for a top-of-mind subject: tariffs.

Producers across the country have been hit with 25 per cent levies on their exports to China. Although pork is compliant under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, tariffs from the United States have affected the industry, too.

Upwards of eight million pigs are produced in Manitoba.

The U.S. accounts for roughly 40 per cent of Manitoba’s pork exports. Should tariffs eventually alter the number of live animals transported south, Manitoba Pork’s levy revenues may be impacted, a financial statement reads.

“With China, it’s not an easy market to replace,” said Cam Dahl, general manager of the advocacy organization.

Manitoba Pork represents roughly 600 barns in the industry. The keystone province exports around $130 million in pork goods annually to China, per Manitoba Pork numbers. China takes items others won’t, including pig feet.

Meantime, non-tariff trade barriers prevent Canadian pork from reaching various markets, Dahl said. He called for an elimination of such hurdles, including testing for parasites that have since been eliminated from modern commercial production (the testing holds trade back).

Manitoba Pork has increased its government relations over past years. It also runs advertisements on LinkedIn targeting government employees; it has a “geofence” around the Manitoba Legislative Building, which means people leaving who are on their phones may see a Manitoba Pork display.

Dahl pointed to public trust as a reason to interact with both government and the general public more. There’s a need to educate about farm operations, especially as groups express concern about environmental responsibility and on-farm practices, Dahl said.

“You don’t develop relationships in a crisis,” he said.

Still, the current geopolitical landscape is feeling like a crisis for many. Manitoba Pork has been liaising with its peers in other provinces and south of the border.

Representatives from Iowa, Alberta and Ontario attended the meeting Thursday in Winnipeg.

“Every morning, I wake up and … check the news and your guess is as good as mine half the time,” Aaron Juergens, president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, told the crowd. “But … we all want as much free trade as possible.”

Canada’s reciprocal tariffs on U.S. imports have caused New Standard Ag to place tariff costs on certain products and seek supplier alternatives.

Hog feeding systems are among the goods the Manitoba company typically pulls north.

“Our purchasing team is reacting daily,” said employee Eric Klassen, a former hog producer. “(We) try and minimize our costs and, in turn, minimize any costs on our customers.”

Finding products of similar or better quality is a consideration. Convincing clients to switch brands is another, Klassen noted.

“Many of the producers here have gone through terrible financial times with the markets, the price of pigs, the cost of feed,” he said. “They’re a pretty tough group.”

Manitoba Pork is considering raising its levy fee. The fee, currently at $0.80 per market hog, has decreased over the past two decades. Between taking on new projects and a general increase in operational costs, a change is likely needed, Dahl said.

The organization plans to speak with members before making a decision. Its levy is the lowest among provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador’s rate wasn’t shown during a presentation).

Manitoba Pork projects its revenue to remain the same as 2024, while its operating expenses grow six per cent.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com