Pork Farmers Requesting Government Help to Continue Producing Food

April 23, 2020 OTTAWA – Canada’s pork producers are facing an unprecedented crisis as a result of COVID-19. The pandemic has put farm families and their livelihoods at risk and the potential for a sharp rise in food insecurity has never been greater. Producers across the country now expect to lose $30 to $50 a hog for every hog they sell in 2020, costing farmers across the country $675 million dollars. Farmers are being pushed to the brink.

COVID-19 has pushed the pork sector into free fall by disrupting supply chains and driving down prices. The market devastation caused by COVID-19 will only increase as the pandemic drags on.

“We are asking the government for an emergency payment of $20/hog so that pork producers can continue to pay bills, feed pigs and keep producing food for Canadian families” explains Rick Bergmann, Canadian Pork Council Chair and Manitoba producer. “Without it, family farms will be lost.  In turn we will continue to see disruption in the food supply chain, and increased food insecurity as supplies tighten and food becomes even more expensive,” adds Mr. Bergmann.

The full CPC Press Release can be found here.