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New tariffs concern for pork producers

A livestock association leader says the new 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico imposed Tuesday by President Trump have buyers and sellers concerned.

National Pork Producers Council President Lori Stevermer told House Agriculture Committee members 25% of U.S. pork products are exported. “Mexico is our number one market for exports, so any type of disruptions are of concern, especially the retaliatory tariffs that might come back to us.”

Stevermer says the pork industry is very integrated, so there will also be another financial impact on producers because of the new tariffs. “We, as an industry, get young, weened pigs from Canada that would be affected by those tariffs also, which would add cost to our producers. Those pigs are raised in states like Minnesota and Iowa.”

Stevermer says any type of market disruptions and retaliatory tariffs are a concern to producers. 

Stevermer made her comments Tuesday to the House Ag Committee’s hearing on the state of the livestock industry.