The Canadian pork industry is a growing and dynamic sector of Canadian agriculture. Canada is the world's third largest pork exporter in the world, following the European Union and the United States. Export markets account for over 55 per cent of the Canadian hog production, which totaled approximately 31.4 million hogs in 2004. Canadian pork products are currently exported to over 120 countries. Between 1995 and 2004, Canadian exports of pork have risen from 350,565 tonnes to 928,381 tonnes. Canada's top export markets for pork products are the United States, Japan, Australia and Mexico (Source: Statistics Canada).

The Saskatchewan pork industry is continuing to experience a growth in hog production. The number of hogs produced in Saskatchewan has increased from 1.3 million in 1995 to an estimated 2.4 million head in 2004, an increase of 85 per cent. The United States is Saskatchewan's main market, with over 70 per cent of the province's pork and live hog exports going into the U.S. (Source: Statistics Canada).

Regardless of price increases, world demand for pork continues to rise. On a global basis, pork still remains the most widely consumed meat protein, although poultry is gaining in popularity. Rising incomes, particularly in China, seem to be fueling growth in world demand. In the United States, the popularity of low carbohydrate/high protein diets also appears to be stimulating consumer interest in pork. With growing worldwide demand, pork production is working to keep pace (Source: USDA).

Key trends in the pork industry include:

• Branding, which will play an important part in convincing consumers of the merit of a particular product, in both the fresh and processed markets.
• Grocery stores are moving to more case-ready product that has been cut and packaged off premises
• Increased consumer demand for innovative and new products that are quick meal solutions.
• Niche products that meet the needs for nutrition, organic or food safety segments.
• More use of marinated and high "flavour" pork products.
  

There are nine federally inspected, seven provincially inspected, and approximately 75 health inspected meat processing plants in Saskatchewan. There are a few companies that process pork only, but most process both pork and beef. Some companies process varying amounts of specialty livestock species, as well. The following table highlights the most significant companies in the province.

The value of Saskatchewan pork exports has increased from $72.8 million in 2000 to $99.1 million in 2004, an increase of 36 per cent over five years. The majority of pork products, excluding bacon, are exported to Japan , Mexico and the United States . Bacon accounts for approximately 60 per cent of all Saskatchewan pork exports. The province's exports of bacon, all of which are destined for the United States, have surged from $17.5 million in 1998 to $60.7 million in 2004, an increase of 246 per cent.