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Pork leader cautiously optimistic as tariff talks continue

The executive director of the Missouri Pork Association says he’s been concerned about the trading relationship between the U.S. and China as tariffs continue.

“There’s so much there, it’s so broad and I don’t know if it gets resolved real soon.”

Scott Hays says China is an important market for U.S. pork, taking parts of the pig not usually consumed in the United States.

“That has a value of about $7 a pig and replacing that particular market could be a challenge.”

He says pork producers haven’t yet asked for help from the Trump administration, but the market uncertainty could move U.S. pork production back into “red ink.”

“When these forces come from outside the industry that cause disruptions within the industry, that makes it different. Part of what’s pressuring that is we’re coming off the worst financial period of the pork industry. It’s worse than 1998 even.”

Hays says there are markets the U.S. pork industry would like more access to including Vietnam, Africa and India and he’s optimistic the Trump administration can secure additional market access.

There’s a lot of talk about the easing of the tariff battle with China, but no official public progress is evident.