Manitoba pork producers, industry stakeholders and representatives of pork organizations from other Canadian provinces and US states gathered yesterday in Winnipeg for Manitoba Pork's 2017 Annual General Meeting.

George Matheson, the Chair of Manitoba Pork, told those on hand the mood among producers is optimistic.

George Matheson-Manitoba Pork

The cash price last year defied the futures.

There seems to be very good demand for pork although there is a lot of pork being produced right now right across North America.

Our price is of course is a reflection of the US price.

We hope to have some new barns built this year and the following year so that pork production will meet our processing capacity and the new government is helping make that happen.

We did have a moratorium in hog barn construction due to the fact that the previous regulations insisted on anaerobic digesters being used for processing hog manure.

It totally would not have worked in regards to being profitable so that is one of the reasons why you saw no hog barns being built over the last eight to ten years.

But we're seeing, number one the government is very protective of the industry but are basing their decisions on science and focusing on the use of lagoons and concrete storages underneath barns being approved by engineers, continued responsible application of the manure, no spreading during the winter months.

Mr Matheson notes, despite the collapse of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with Europe and expanding demand for pork in China offer exciting new export opportunities for Canadian pork.